California Airplane Accidents Lawyer
When compared to other means of transportation, commercial air travel is very, very safe. In fact, the vast majority of aviation accidents and deaths occur in smaller craft and general aviation. However, as evidenced by the Boeing 737 Max crashes in recent years, when things do go wrong on an airline aircraft, the results are catastrophic.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured while flying on a commercial airplane, the trial attorneys at Danko Meredith are here to help. We are not afraid to hold corporations accountable when their decisions lead to serious injuries and preventable airplane disasters.
To request a free and confidential case review with our experienced team of California airplane accident lawyers, contact our Redwood City law office. You can also reach our attorneys by calling (650) 453-3600.
Major Airline Accidents Involving Boeing’s 737 MAX
Boeing has been at the center of multiple incidents over the years. The most high-profile Boeing aviation accidents include:
Lion Air Flight 610
During a flight in Indonesia, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed into the Java Sea just minutes after taking off. The crash killed all 189 people on board.
Investigators learned the crash was caused by the newly developed Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) software, which forces the nose of a plane down when it ascends at too steep an angle. Boeing never mentioned the MCAS software to pilots, nor did Boeing provide any training or instructions for pilots about MCAS.
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302
During a flight from Ethiopia to Kenya, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed near the town of Bishoftu. The crash killed all 157 people on board.
Like the Lion Air flight, the crash was caused by the MCAS software forcing the plane’s nose down. The pilots managed to disable MCAS and take manual control of the plane, but by then it was too late.
Alaska Airlines Flight 1282
During a flight from Oregon to California, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 had to make an emergency landing minutes after takeoff when an emergency exit door detached. Thankfully, there were only three minor injuries among all passengers and crew on board.
Investigators learned that the door plug was missing four bolts to keep it in place, and that Boeing knew these bolts were missing when they delivered the aircraft to Alaska Airlines.
Airline Manufacturers Putting Profit Over People
In the three flights we’ve noted above, there have been multiple reports that demonstrate how Boeing has put corporate profits over the safety of people simply trying to travel by air.
Fatal Airplane Crashes and the MCAS System
For the two fatal crashes involving the Boeing 737 MAX 8, a video report by Vox concluded that Boeing’s poor judgment was driven by corporate competition with Airbus.
Rather than disclose the new MCAS system and create training materials for pilots to use, Boeing claimed their new 737 MAX model was identical to the previous model and that no additional training was needed.
Cost-Cutting Measures May Have Caused the Exit Door to Detach
For Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 and other recent safety issues, there have been accusations of Boeing cutting corners in production, safety, and quality control in order to please shareholders. Two sources (an anonymous employee and a whistleblower) told KIRO 7 News that Boeing rushes employees to complete and sign off on substandard work.
The Bottom Line
Boeing made irresponsible decisions to pad their bottom line. Here’s the real bottom line: putting air safety over profits could have saved hundreds of lives.
Danko Meredith is here to hold Boeing and other airline companies accountable when their attempt to cut corners puts lives at risk.
Why Choose Danko Meredith for Your Airplane Accident Case?
The trial lawyers of Danko Meredith bring over a century of legal experience to airplane disaster litigation. We’re ready to go to trial, even against major corporations like Boeing.
We know that companies like airplane manufacturers have high-paid defense attorneys in place, but we aren’t intimidated. Time and time again, Danko Meredith has demonstrated that even when we’re out-numbered, we won’t be out-lawyered. Our law firm has the talent and the resources to take these cases all the way to trial.
- Representation by an Active Jet Pilot – Trial attorney Mike Danko is an active pilot himself with over 4,000 hours as pilot-in-command. He understands air safety and various issues associated with airplane accident litigation.
- Success on Numerous Airplane Accident Cases – The attorneys of Danko Meredith have represented families in numerous high-profile aviation disasters, including Alaska Airlines Flight 261, American Airlines Flight 587, and EgyptAir Flight 990.
- Representation on a Contingency Fee Basis – Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means our clients don’t pay us until we can reach a settlement or win damages in court. If we don’t win, our clients don’t pay.
Request a Free Consultation with Our Airplane Accident Lawyers
Now more than ever, it falls upon the civil justice system—judges and juries—to hold the airline industry accountable. At Danko Meredith, we have a passion for aviation safety. If you or a family member was injured in an airline accident, contact our Redwood City law firm. Our plane crash lawyers are here to listen, and we are ready to fight for you.