Helicopter Accidents Record-Setting Results Nationwide
Helicopters are very difficult to fly. The typical helicopter flight mission places an already difficult-to-fly aircraft into an even more difficul and hazardous environment. The lower flight altitude of helicopters as compared with fixed-wing aircraft brings them in closer proximity to on-ground hazards such as radio control towers, utility wires, mountains, or tall buildings. As a result of the powerful impact forces involved in a helicopter crash, the likelihood of those occupants’ sustaining severe and disabling injuries and fatalities is substantial.
RECENT HELICOPTER ARTICLES
In this February 2014 article, Mr. Robb explains that when a helicopter crashes, the wreckage can leave a trail of clues that leads all the way back to the aircrafts design and manufacture. Investigating these cases requires a unique blend of knowledge of aviation, engineering, pilot training, and weather. Mr. Robb discusses the painstakingly detailed process he has developed over the past thirty years to successfully prosecute his clients’ helicopter crash cases.
Mr. Robb describes critical aspects of helicopter crash investigation including:
- inspection and documentation of the crash site
- inspection and documentation of
- the crash site
- engine and maintenance log books
- loss of main rotor control
- loss of tail rotor function
- main rotor strike to fixed obstacle
- engine failure or power loss
- wire strikes
- pilot error or incapacitation
- improper maintenance
- avionics or instrument failures
- component or system failure
- in-flight fire or explosion
- fuel starvation, exhaustion, or contamination
- weather and other environmental factors
- air traffic control errors
HANDLING HELICOPTER LITIGATION THE 10 INDESPENSABLE STEPS
The causes of helicopter crashes are often markedly different from the causes of airplane crashes because of their unique and even peculiar design, flight, and handling features combined with their commonly high-risk mission profiles. Given the unique flight and performance characteristics, failure modes, and crash scenarios of helicopters, Mr. Robb calls upon his many years of experience to identify the following 10 indispensable steps to maximize the prospects of success in helicopter crash litigation.
1. Learn the basics of helicopter flight and operation
2. Interview all eye and ear witnesses to the helicopter crash
3. Determine the most likely cause(s) of the helicopter crash
4. Assess survivability and crashworthiness issues
5. Given the French domination of the U.S. helicopter market, be prepared to conduct extensive discovery in France
6. Utilize Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to conduct discovery in U.S. military helicopter crashes
7. Retain experts with specific training and expertise in helicopter accident investigation and failure analysis
8. Arrange for purchase of exemplar helicopter components and systems for comparative testing
9. Use actual components from helicopter wreckages to demonstrate product defect
10. Teach the jury about helicopter flight and operation in opening statement and throughout trial