There was a deadly plane crash in Ferrisburgh, Vermont on September 10, 2024. During the incident, a single-engine Piper PA-28R crashed with four people on board. Local authorities indicate there were no distress calls from the plane prior to the crash. All four occupants were killed in the crash. The three adult victims have been identified as Paul Pelletier, Frank Rodriquez, and Susan Van Ness. One minor, the daughter of Susan Van Ness, was also killed. The accident remains under investigation at this time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by this deadly crash.
A Piper PA-28R can crash for a variety of reasons, even in the absence of distress calls made to air traffic control (ATC). One potential cause is mechanical failure. Like all aircraft, the Piper PA-28R relies on a complex system of engines, hydraulics, and electronics to function properly. A failure in any of these systems, such as engine malfunction, electrical failure, or a critical component breakdown, can lead to loss of control. In some cases, these malfunctions can happen suddenly and without warning, leaving the pilot with little or no time to communicate the problem to ATC before the crash occurs.
Weather conditions could also play a major role in a Piper PA-28R crash. Rapidly changing weather, including sudden storms, high winds, or turbulence, can create hazardous flying conditions. A pilot might encounter unexpected turbulence or icing conditions, which could severely affect the aircraft’s handling. In poor weather, especially without advanced warning, the pilot may be too focused on trying to control the plane and navigate through the dangerous conditions to make a distress call. Additionally, low visibility due to fog, rain, or snow can increase the likelihood of a crash, as it makes it more difficult for the pilot to assess their surroundings.
Finally, human factors such as pilot incapacitation could be another explanation. Medical emergencies, such as a sudden heart attack, stroke, or other serious health issue, could prevent the pilot from maintaining control of the aircraft. If the pilot became incapacitated mid-flight, there would be little to no time to issue a distress call before the crash occurred. In such scenarios, the pilot’s inability to communicate or control the aircraft would result in the plane going down without any warning to ATC.
There have been a number of recent plane accidents in 2024. A Cessna 421C crashed into a group of townhomes in Fairview, Oregon on August 31, 2024. A Piper PA28 crashed near the Somerset Airport in Bedminster, New Jersey on September 4, 2024. A Piper PA-46 crashed in Madison County, Indiana on September 6, 2024. A Mooney M20F crashed in Cottonwood, Arizona on September 8, 2024. There was an incident involving two Delta planes in Atlanta, Georgia on September 10, 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.