There was a small plane crash in Chesapeake, Virginia on March 21, 2024. The plane, a single-engine Cessna 170A, crashed while landing at Hampton Roads Executive Airport. The plane went off the runway and into a grassy area. The plane’s landing gear collapsed, although it is unclear if that is what caused the crash. It is unclear if anyone on board was injured in the crash.
When a plane lands, the expectation is for a smooth transition from air to ground, culminating in a safe stop on the runway. However, incidents where planes veer off the runway during landing, known as runway excursions, can occur, posing serious safety risks. Several factors can lead to such events, ranging from environmental conditions to mechanical failures and human error, each contributing to the complexity of safe aircraft landing operations.
Environmental conditions are a common cause of runway excursions. Adverse weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or ice, can significantly reduce the runway’s friction, making it difficult for the aircraft to decelerate and maintain directional control during landing. Crosswinds can also challenge pilots by pushing the aircraft sideways, away from the runway centerline, potentially leading to a loss of control if not correctly managed. Visibility issues, such as fog, can obscure runway markers and lights, complicating the landing process further and increasing the risk of veering off the designated path.
Mechanical failures within the aircraft’s braking or landing gear systems can directly impact the pilot’s ability to execute a safe landing. For instance, if the brakes fail to engage fully or if there’s an asymmetrical braking issue, stopping distances can increase dramatically, or the aircraft may begin to skid or drift sideways. Additionally, failures or malfunctions in the landing gear, such as a gear not fully locking into place, can lead to uneven distribution of weight upon touchdown, skewing the aircraft off course. Alongside these mechanical aspects, human factors, including pilot error, misjudgment of runway conditions, or failure to follow proper landing procedures, play a significant role in runway excursion incidents.
There have been a number of recent plane crashes in 2024. United Airlines Flight 2477 went off the taxiway in Houston, Texas on March 8, 2024. An IAI Astra 1125 jet crashed near Ingalls Field Airport in Hot Springs, Virginia on March 10, 2024. A Piper Saratoga crashed in Madras, Oregon on March 10, 2024 after striking a wire on a set of power lines. A Cirrus SR22 lost engine power and crashed in Mendocino County, California on March 8, 2024.
Spagnoletti Law Firm has attorneys licensed in Texas, Florida, New Mexico and New York. We have handled numerous cases involving the failure of necessary equipment on a plane or helicopter in both federal and state court across the country. When it comes to aviation, safety must come first. Our attorneys have extensive experience in plane and helicopter crash litigation and the skills needed to aggressively represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or those who have been seriously injured in a plane or helicopter crash. The experienced aviation attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of a crash. Please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your legal rights.