Aviation and Airplane Accident Attorneys

When the Sky Fails, Accountability Starts on the Ground

Air travel feels routine... until it suddenly isn’t. A quiet hum turns into a violent jolt. Lights flicker. Panic replaces peace. Whether it's a sudden drop in altitude, a hard landing, or something far worse, what began as a simple flight can end in chaos.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we help victims and their families navigate the aftermath of aviation disasters throughout New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. From private plane crashes in the Adirondacks to commercial incidents near JFK or Logan, our aviation accident attorneys move quickly to preserve evidence, determine fault, and secure the compensation clients deserve. We understand both the human and technical sides of these tragedies, and we’re relentless in holding every responsible party accountable.

What Causes Aviation Accidents

Aviation accidents rarely come down to a single error. Most are tragic chains of bad decisions, overlooked warnings, or preventable flaws. Sometimes it starts with a loose bolt. Other times, it's an exhausted pilot or a rushed maintenance job. But in every case, the failure leaves clues.

Let’s break down the most common causes:

• Mechanical or Maintenance Negligence: Skipped inspections, poor repairs, falsified records, or unqualified technicians. Small oversights become fatal flaws at 30,000 feet.
• Design or Manufacturing Defects: Think faulty sensors, software bugs, or structural weaknesses. When equipment doesn’t do what it’s supposed to, people get hurt.
• Pilot Fatigue and Human Error: Long shifts, minimal rest, missed protocols. Even experienced pilots can make deadly mistakes when pushed too far.
• Air Traffic Control Mistakes: Miscommunication, incorrect coordinates, delayed weather alerts. One bad transmission can send planes into dangerous paths.
• Weather Oversights: Flying into known storms, failing to de-ice, or ignoring turbulence advisories isn’t just risky, it’s negligent.

We dig into maintenance logs, pilot schedules, black box data, and radar records to find what went wrong. Each of those data points can prove where negligence occurred.

Types of Aviation Claims We Handle

Every flight has its risks. Some involve commercial airlines. Others happen on chartered jets or helicopters. And sometimes, danger strikes even before takeoff. Horn Wright, LLP is equipped to handle aviation claims across the board.

Commercial Airline Negligence

Airlines are bound by the highest legal standard of care. As "common carriers," they're obligated to protect passengers at every step. But sometimes, corners get cut. Safety checks get skipped. Maintenance is delayed to keep schedules tight.

When turbulence causes injury, or a rough landing leads to spinal trauma, we investigate whether the airline met its duty. If it didn’t, we fight to hold them accountable.

Private and Charter Flight Accidents

Private aircraft, charter jets, and corporate planes often fly under lighter scrutiny. That doesn't mean they're safer. In fact, many accidents occur because:

• Maintenance is contracted to the lowest bidder.
• Pilots fly with minimal rest or outdated certifications.
• Ownership is hidden behind shell companies.

We trace these ownership webs, hold insurers to their obligations, and make sure families get the answers they deserve.

Helicopter Crashes

Helicopters serve tourists, hospitals, news crews, and construction teams. But they also operate under tighter margins of error. A minor engine fault or an overloaded cabin can end in disaster.

Our team investigates every angle—from weather conditions to rotor inspections—to determine where negligence played a role.

Airport and Boarding Accidents

Not all aviation injuries happen in the air. Slip-and-falls on wet jet bridges, missing wheelchair escorts, or unsecured equipment on the tarmac can cause serious harm.

These are often property liability claims as much as aviation cases. We act quickly to preserve security footage, incident reports, and witness accounts before they disappear.

Inside the Investigation: How Aviation Evidence Builds a Case

Aviation evidence is fragile. It gets cleaned up, boxed away, or discarded quickly. That’s why timing matters. At Horn Wright, LLP, we don’t wait.

Here’s how we build a case:

• Preservation Orders: We immediately request courts to preserve crash debris, flight records, and aircraft systems.
• Technical Reconstruction: Using cockpit voice recorders (CVR), flight data recorders (FDR), radar mapping, and logs, we recreate the incident second by second.
• Expert Collaboration: We work with former FAA officials, aerospace engineers, weather analysts, and medical experts to understand how each factor contributed.
• Independent Analysis: While the NTSB focuses on safety prevention, we zero in on fault and legal responsibility.
• Federal and State Filings: We file claims across jurisdictions when needed, ensuring every angle is covered.

Every piece of evidence connects to a decision, and those decisions build the foundation of liability.

Holding Every Responsible Party Accountable

Aviation safety is a shared responsibility. When a crash happens, it’s rarely the fault of just one person or company. We pursue every liable party.

Who might be responsible?

• Airlines and Operators: For bad policies, unsafe procedures, or negligent hiring.
• Manufacturers: For design flaws, poor quality control, or failure to issue recalls.
• Maintenance Companies: For falsifying repairs, using substandard parts, or ignoring known issues.
• Air Traffic Controllers: For giving wrong instructions or failing to alert pilots about hazards.
• Airport Authorities: For unsafe tarmacs, missing equipment, or broken infrastructure.

We pursue joint claims when needed to make sure every party pays their share of responsibility.

Compensation in Aviation Injury and Wrongful Death Claims

Compensation after an aviation accident goes far beyond medical bills. It’s about restoring what was lost, your health, your livelihood, and sometimes, your loved one.

Recoverable damages can include:

• Emergency treatment and long-term rehabilitation
• Lost wages and diminished earning potential
• Pain and suffering, including loss of enjoyment of life
• Psychological trauma, such as PTSD or fear of flying
• Wrongful death benefits under New York EPTL § 5-4.1 and related laws in neighboring states
• Punitive damages when companies acted with reckless disregard for safety

Preparedness impacts outcomes. We build every case for trial, and that makes insurers more likely to offer meaningful settlements early.

Time Limits and Filing Rules: Why Speed Protects Your Case

Time matters in aviation claims. Waiting too long can mean losing access to evidence or missing your legal window to file.

Here are a few key deadlines:

• New York: 3 years for personal injury, 2 years for wrongful death
• Montreal Convention (international flights): 2 years from scheduled arrival
• Federal Tort Claims Act (claims against federal agencies): File an administrative claim within 2 years

Each jurisdiction has its own rules. And in aviation cases, jurisdiction isn’t always obvious. Our multi-state practice allows us to act fast, filing where the law works best for you.

The Human Side of Aviation Accidents

When the plane lands, the real journey begins. The emotional toll of aviation accidents is deep and lasting. Survivors might look fine on the outside but carry intense trauma inside.

Many face:

• Flashbacks and sleep disruption
• Fear of flying or travel anxiety
• Survivor’s guilt or depression
• Loss of identity, confidence, or purpose

These injuries matter. They’re real, and they deserve compensation. We work closely with therapists and trauma experts to show how your emotional injuries impact your life, and make sure they’re fully reflected in your claim.

Why Choose Horn Wright, LLP

Horn Wright, LLP understands the full scope of aviation claims: technical, emotional, and legal. Our attorneys act fast to preserve wreckage, secure records, and engage aviation experts within days. We handle complex cases across state lines, and we know how to operate within both federal frameworks and state courts. Whether the crash happened near Albany, Manchester, or the coast of Bar Harbor, we’re ready.

We work with:

• Former NTSB investigators
• Aerospace and mechanical engineers
• Human factors specialists
• FAA regulatory consultants

Aviation disasters happen in seconds. Recovery takes years. Horn Wright, LLP, is here to close that gap. Contact our offices today for a FREE consultation.