Accidents from Defective Airplane Equipment

Helping Victims Hold Manufacturers Accountable

Flying feels routine until it doesn’t. One loose bolt, one faulty sensor, one missed defect—and suddenly, what should’ve been a safe flight turns into a nightmare. Pilots lose control, alarms misfire, or systems shut down midair. It’s terrifying, it’s preventable, and it’s not your fault.

Our personal injury attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, represent victims and families affected by defective airplane parts across New York, and we also serve New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. 

Aviation manufacturers, maintenance companies, and parts suppliers all have strict duties under federal law. When they cut corners, delay recalls, or ship products they know are unsafe, we hold them responsible.

If you’ve been injured, or lost someone, in a crash involving a defective aircraft component, contact us on (855) 465-4622. We’ll help you understand what went wrong, what evidence to protect, and how to pursue compensation that reflects the full cost of what’s been taken from you.

What Counts as “Defective Equipment” in Aviation

Airplane parts are designed to handle extreme conditions—pressure, heat, vibration, and speed. When one fails, the consequences are often catastrophic. But not every failure is just “bad luck.” Some happen because of errors in design, manufacturing, or maintenance.

Here’s how those categories break down:

• Design defects. The part was flawed from the start. Think of fuel systems that leak under normal pressure or software logic that confuses pilots in emergencies. Those are design-level mistakes baked into every unit produced.
• Manufacturing defects. The blueprint was fine, but the product came out wrong—cheap materials, misaligned components, or skipped quality checks. That one defective part may be the only one of its kind, but it’s enough to cause a tragedy.
• Failure to warn or instruct. Sometimes the danger isn’t the part itself. It’s the missing warning or poor manual that leaves crews guessing. Manufacturers must explain how to use their products safely.
• Maintenance or replacement failures. When defective parts are swapped into aircraft during repairs, or when recalled parts are never replaced, both the shop and supplier can share liability.

Every “minor” component matters in the air. One defect can start a chain reaction no pilot can stop.

How Defective Parts Cause Airplane Accidents

A single mechanical issue can ripple through an entire aircraft system. It doesn’t always start with something dramatic. It might begin with a sensor error, a hydraulic leak, or a short circuit that confuses flight computers.

• Instrument malfunctions. Defective altimeters, airspeed indicators, or angle-of-attack sensors can feed pilots bad data. Wrong readings lead to wrong reactions.
• Engine and fuel system failures. Faulty pumps, seals, or control units can cause loss of thrust or fire. When maintenance logs show repeated issues, it’s a red flag for negligence.
• Landing gear and brake defects. Hard landings and runway overruns often trace back to hydraulic or actuator faults. We track the serial numbers to see if the same part failed before.
• Electrical and avionics issues. Defective wiring, circuit boards, or flight control systems can lead to erratic flight paths and autopilot errors.
• Structural defects. Wing bolts, rivets, or composite materials built below standard can fracture midair. The resulting metal fatigue or vibration imbalance can tear aircraft apart.

Defects like these don’t hide for long. Our legal team proves when the manufacturer knew about them and failed to act.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Defective Airplane Equipment

Liability in defective equipment cases spreads wide. Aviation is built on partnerships—manufacturers, suppliers, maintenance shops, and operators—and every link in that chain has to hold.

• Aircraft manufacturers. Companies like Boeing, Airbus, or Cessna design the aircraft itself. When systemic defects exist across a model line, corporate accountability is key.
• Component manufacturers. Engine builders, avionics suppliers, and parts vendors face strict product liability laws when their components fail.
• Maintenance providers and repair stations. If a certified shop installed the wrong part or ignored service bulletins, they share the blame.
• Airlines and operators. They must perform safety checks and comply with Federal Aviation Administration directives. Failing to remove recalled parts is negligence.
• Distributors and sellers. Even suppliers can be liable if they knowingly sell outdated, counterfeit, or uncertified components.

We trace every part’s history—who made it, who touched it, who ignored warnings—to make sure no responsible party escapes accountability.

How We Investigate Defective Equipment Claims

Aviation defect cases depend on detail. Every nut, wire, and data point tells part of the story. That’s why we treat investigations like puzzles—one piece at a time, until the full picture fits.

• Securing the wreckage. We issue immediate preservation letters to stop destruction or tampering. Every piece of debris, down to the smallest bolt, matters.
• Serial number tracing. Each part has an origin. We track it back to the manufacturer, production batch, and maintenance history to spot patterns.
• Expert analysis. Engineers, metallurgists, and former FAA investigators break down mechanical performance, material flaws, and chain-of-command failures.
• Comparing known failures. When other crashes or incidents involved the same model or part, prior lawsuits and FAA reports become vital evidence.
• Independent testing. We replicate conditions in labs to show how and why the defect caused loss of control, fire, or failure.

By the time the manufacturer goes on defense, we already have the evidence mapped and the timeline locked.

The Legal Framework for Aviation Product Liability

Defective equipment cases sit at the intersection of product liability and aviation law—two complex but powerful systems. Under New York law, injured passengers can pursue claims under CPLR Section 214(5) for negligence or strict liability within three years. Wrongful death claims follow EPTL Article 5-4.1 (two years).

Other states—New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine—apply their own timelines and comparative fault rules, but the principle is the same: manufacturers owe a duty to make safe products. Under federal law, the FAA regulates design, testing, and certification, but compliance doesn’t shield a company if their product still causes harm.

We combine state tort laws with federal aviation regulations to build a case that meets both sets of standards. That’s how you win against corporations that hide behind technicalities.

What Compensation Can Include

Your compensation should match the depth of your loss, not the size of the company’s settlement offer. These claims are about your future.

• Medical treatment and long-term care. From hospital stays to rehabilitation, prosthetics, or therapy, we calculate every cost—present and future.
• Lost wages and future income. If your injuries ended or limited your career, we document your earning potential and adjust for inflation and retirement.
• Pain, suffering, and trauma. The emotional fallout of an aviation accident runs deep. Anxiety, flashbacks, and fear of flying all belong in your damages model.
• Wrongful death damages. Families can recover funeral expenses, loss of support, and the value of companionship under EPTL Article 5-4.1 and similar state laws.
• Punitive damages. When a manufacturer or maintenance provider knew a part was unsafe and ignored the risk, the court can award additional damages as punishment.

We work with life-care planners, economists, and mental health experts to ensure your compensation reflects reality—not corporate math.

Why Acting Fast Protects Your Case

Time kills evidence. After a crash, aircraft wreckage can be cleared within days, and manufacturers start controlling the narrative almost immediately. 

They send investigators, issue press releases, and frame the incident as “rare” or “unforeseeable.” Without fast action, crucial records vanish.

Our team moves the moment you call. We secure data, file preservation orders, and get independent experts on-site before cleanup finishes. In states like New York and New Hampshire, statutory deadlines are firm. 

In federal cases involving the FAA or government contractors, the FTCA requires administrative claims within two years. Missing those marks means missing justice. Speed isn’t just a tactic—it’s protection. 

Turning a Defect Into a Demand for Accountability

When equipment fails at 30,000 feet, you can’t hit pause or call for help. The system that was supposed to protect you has already failed. But once you’re on the ground, you do have power—the power to demand answers and accountability.

Our aviation and airplane accident attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, have helped victims and families stand up to aviation giants, parts manufacturers, and insurers who thought they could hide behind complexity. 

We combine technical knowledge with real human understanding to build cases that stick. You can’t control what broke midair, but you can control what happens next. Contact our office today to book your free consultation. 

We’ll start with the facts, build the proof, and push for justice that honors what you’ve been through. Because every broken part tells a story and yours deserves to end with accountability, not excuses.