Aviation accidents are among the most catastrophic personal injury cases in the legal system.
Whether the crash involves a commercial airliner, private jet, helicopter, charter aircraft, or small single-engine plane, the consequences are often devastating. Victims may suffer life-changing injuries, families may lose loved ones, and innocent homeowners on the ground can suddenly find their homes destroyed.
While aviation accidents are relatively rare, they frequently involve multiple liable parties, federal investigations, complex insurance issues, and damages worth millions of dollars. Determining responsibility often requires analysis of pilot actions, aircraft maintenance, manufacturing defects, air traffic control communications, and federal aviation regulations.
At Orange Law, we help victims and families pursue justice after serious aviation accidents throughout Texas.
What Is an Aviation Accident?
An aviation accident is any incident involving an aircraft that results in:
- Serious bodily injury
- Permanent disability
- Death
- Property damage
- Damage to homes or businesses
These accidents can involve:
- Commercial airlines
- Private planes
- Corporate jets
- Charter aircraft
- Helicopters
- Flight schools
- Sightseeing aircraft
- Agricultural aircraft
- Cargo planes
Every aviation accident is unique, and determining liability often requires a detailed investigation involving federal authorities and aviation experts.
Common Causes of Plane Crashes
Most aviation accidents are preventable.
Common causes include:
Pilot Error
Pilot mistakes remain one of the leading causes of aviation accidents.
Examples include:
- Improper takeoffs
- Landing errors
- Fuel mismanagement
- Flying into dangerous weather
- Poor decision-making
- Fatigue
- Inadequate training
Mechanical Failure
Aircraft contain thousands of components.
A single defective part can cause:
- Engine failure
- Landing gear collapse
- Flight control failure
- Electrical system malfunction
Defective Aircraft Parts
Manufacturers may be liable when defective:
- Engines
- Propellers
- Avionics
- Navigation systems
- Flight controls
- Structural components
cause or contribute to a crash.
Improper Maintenance
Maintenance providers may fail to:
- Inspect aircraft
- Replace worn components
- Follow FAA maintenance requirements
- Document repairs properly
Air Traffic Control Errors
Controllers may contribute by:
- Giving incorrect instructions
- Failing to separate aircraft
- Miscommunicating runway assignments
- Providing inaccurate weather information
Weather Conditions
Poor weather alone does not automatically excuse a crash.
Investigators examine whether:
- The flight should have departed
- The pilot exercised reasonable judgment
- Airlines followed safety procedures
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Unlike a typical car accident, multiple parties may share responsibility.
Potential defendants include:
- Pilot
- Aircraft owner
- Airline
- Charter company
- Aircraft manufacturer
- Engine manufacturer
- Parts manufacturer
- Maintenance company
- Flight school
- Airport operator
- Air traffic control entities (in appropriate cases)
- Government contractors, where applicable
Identifying every responsible party is critical because aviation claims often involve multiple insurance policies and substantial damages.
What Happens If a Plane Crashes Into Your Home?
Many people never think about this possibility until it happens.
Unfortunately, aircraft have crashed into:
- Houses
- Apartment buildings
- Mobile home parks
- Businesses
- Vehicles
- Neighborhoods
Texas has experienced aircraft accidents that damaged homes and injured people on the ground, including a private jet crash into a mobile home park in Odessa that destroyed multiple residences.
Can You Sue?
Yes.
If an aircraft crashes into your home because of negligence, you may have legal claims even if you were never on the plane.
Potential claims include:
- Property damage
- Personal injuries
- Wrongful death
- Emotional distress (where legally recoverable)
- Loss of use of your home
- Temporary housing expenses
- Lost personal property
- Additional living expenses
If your home is completely destroyed, your damages may extend far beyond the value of the structure itself.
Will Homeowners Insurance Cover a Plane Crash?
Possibly.
Many homeowners policies cover sudden accidental damage to a home, meaning your insurer may initially pay for repairs or replacement, depending on your policy. The insurance company may later seek reimbursement from the parties responsible for the crash through a process known as subrogation. However, your homeowners policy may not fully compensate you for every loss, including serious personal injuries or other damages caused by the crash.
What Compensation Can Aviation Accident Victims Recover?
Every case is different.
Victims may recover compensation for:
Medical Expenses
Including:
- Emergency treatment
- Surgery
- ICU care
- Hospitalization
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Prescription medications
Future Medical Care
Catastrophic injuries often require:
- Multiple surgeries
- Long-term rehabilitation
- Wheelchairs
- Prosthetics
- Home healthcare
- Home modifications
Lost Wages
Victims may recover income already lost because of the accident.
Lost Earning Capacity
Permanent disabilities may reduce future earning potential.
This can include:
- Reduced work capacity
- Career changes
- Missed promotions
- Retirement losses
- Lifetime income reduction
Pain and Suffering
Texas law allows compensation for:
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful Death Damages
Families who lose loved ones may recover damages for:
- Funeral expenses
- Lost financial support
- Loss of companionship
- Mental anguish
- Other damages available under Texas law
Why Aviation Accident Cases Are Different
Unlike ordinary vehicle collisions, aviation cases almost always involve:
- FAA regulations
- NTSB investigations
- Flight data analysis
- Cockpit voice recordings (when available)
- Aircraft maintenance records
- Pilot certifications
- Weather reports
- Aviation engineering experts
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates civil aviation accidents, but its role is to determine probable cause—not to obtain compensation for victims. Civil claims are separate from the government’s investigation.
What Evidence Is Important?
Orange Law immediately works to preserve critical evidence, including:
- FAA records
- NTSB reports
- Flight logs
- Maintenance records
- Aircraft inspection history
- Black box data (when available)
- Air traffic control recordings
- Witness statements
- Surveillance footage
- Medical records
- Expert analysis
Early investigation can be crucial because evidence may disappear or become more difficult to obtain over time.
What Should You Do After an Aviation Accident?
If you survive an aviation accident—or your home is struck by an aircraft—take these steps if it is safe to do so:
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Follow emergency responders’ instructions.
- Photograph injuries and property damage when possible.
- Preserve damaged property and important documents.
- Notify your insurance company.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to opposing insurers without legal advice.
- Contact an experienced aviation accident attorney promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can passengers sue after a plane crash?
Yes. Passengers injured because of another party’s negligence may have the right to pursue compensation.
Can homeowners sue if a plane crashes into their house?
Yes. Homeowners and other people on the ground may pursue claims for property damage, personal injuries, and other losses against the parties responsible for the crash.
Who investigates an airplane crash?
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is generally responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents in the United States, often with assistance from the FAA and other agencies.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Texas?
Many aviation-related personal injury and wrongful death claims are subject to Texas statutes of limitation, but the applicable deadline can vary depending on the facts, the defendants involved, and whether federal law applies. Because aviation litigation is complex, it is important to consult an attorney as soon as possible.
Why Choose Orange Law?
Aviation accident cases demand far more than ordinary personal injury experience. They require an understanding of federal aviation regulations, technical investigations, expert witnesses, and high-stakes litigation against airlines, manufacturers, maintenance providers, and insurers.
At Orange Law, we fight aggressively for individuals and families whose lives have been forever changed by aviation disasters. Whether you were a passenger, pilot, family member, or an innocent homeowner whose property was struck by an aircraft, we are committed to pursuing the maximum compensation available under the law.
Contact Orange Law Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in an aviation accident—or if an aircraft crashed into your home or business—you may be entitled to significant compensation.
Orange Law represents clients throughout Texas in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases involving:
- Commercial airline crashes
- Private plane accidents
- Helicopter crashes
- Charter aircraft accidents
- Aircraft product liability
- Ground injury claims
- Property damage from aircraft crashes
- Wrongful death claims