There was a small plane crash in Augusta, Georgia on April 30, 2024. The plane, a single-engine Beechcraft 36, crashed near Daniel Field. The plane was returning to the airfield at the time of the crash. Reports indicate the pilot was killed in the crash. The victim has been identified as Jason McKenzie. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
When a plane is returning to an airport and begins its descent for landing, managing altitude and descent rate is critical for a safe landing. A major risk during this phase is a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), which occurs when an aircraft, under pilot control, inadvertently flies into the ground, a mountain, a body of water, or an obstacle. CFIT often results from navigational errors or a misjudgment of geographic obstacles, especially in poor visibility conditions. Additionally, during descent, pilots must carefully follow the glide path and maintain the required rate of descent as specified by the approach procedure to avoid arriving either too high or too low at the runway threshold.
Another factor contributing to crashes during this critical phase of flight is altitude mismanagement, particularly during rapid descents. Pilots might initiate a steep descent to quickly reduce altitude when they are above the glide slope, which can lead to excessive speed and structural stress on the aircraft. This scenario can be further complicated by the high workload environments that pilots face when approaching busy airports, where managing communications, adjusting aircraft configurations, and monitoring airspeed and altitude demands precise attention and coordination.
Mechanical failures also play a significant role in accidents during descent. Issues like engine failure, landing gear malfunctions, or hydraulic failures can drastically affect the aircraft’s ability to control descent and land safely. For instance, if an aircraft loses engine power, the pilot must skillfully manage the glide ratio to ensure the plane reaches the runway. Additionally, failures in the autopilot system or other critical flight instruments during the descent can mislead pilots about their actual altitude, leading to altitude discrepancies and increasing the risk of an accident.
There have been a number of recent plane crashes in 2024. A Lancair Legacy FG crashed at the Spicewood Airport in Spicewood, Texas on April 22, 2024. A Douglas C-54 Skymaster crashed shortly after takeoff in Fairbanks, Alaska on April 23, 2024. A Socata TBM-850 crashed in Raleigh, North Carolina on April 24, 2024. A Bellanca Super Viking crashed in El Cajon, California on April 28, 2024. A F-16 military jet crashed near Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico on April 30, 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.