Paige Halbert Killed, Matt Wampler Injured In Oceanside Plane Crash Involving GoJump Skydiving Aircraft —> GoFundMe Created To Help The Surviving Pilot
OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA (June 4, 2022) – Paige Halbert was killed and Matt Wampler was injured in a GoJump Skydiving plane crash near the Oceanside Municipal Airport.
San Diego County officials are saying that the collision took place around 1:50 p.m. on Friday. A Cessna Caravan piloted by Paige Halbert and Matt Wampler crashed into an open field by the Oceanside Municipal Airport not far from Foussat Road and State Route 76.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the crash in order to help all of the injured. Rescue workers used hydraulic tools in order to cut a man and woman free from the wreckage.
Both were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Sadly, Paige Halbert died shortly after being admitted to the hospital. Matt Wampler is still recovering from major injuries sustained in the crash. You can help support his recovery efforts through GoFundMe.
Both victims of the crash were licensed pilots. A logo on the side of the plane identified it as belonging to GoJump skydiving.
Another Cessna Caravan owned by GoJump skydiving crashed in the same area just a few months ago. In that accident, two men were injured and one had to be taken to the hospital by an air ambulance.
New details have emerged after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report on the plane crash. According to the report, the plane may have lost power and was in an idle position as it went down into a dirt field.
NTSB investigators said, “The preliminary findings from the engine teardown (e.g., several compressor blade tips curled in the opposite direction of rotation and metal splatter on the turbine discs and stators) were consistent with the engine running at a low power setting at the time of impact.”
A full investigation into the GoJump plane crash in Oceanside remains ongoing.
Liability In Oceanside Plane Crashes
Commercial aviation is actually one of the safest forms of transportation available. Per vehicle miles traveled, people are far more likely to die or be seriously injured in a car accident than in a crash with a commercial jet. The vast majority of plane crashes that occur take place in private aviation where smaller planes are typically used. According to Harvard University, “Unlike commercial carriers, charter aviation ventures and private pilots are subject to much less regulatory (and consumer) scrutiny. The FAA and DOT aim to review and enforce best practices among aircraft operators; however, there is no governmental quality rating for these entities.” There are many other reasons that private aircraft tend to be involved in more crashes.
- The planes used in private aviation often lack equipment redundancies designed for safety. For example, commercial planes tend to have two engines and can keep going in the event of catastrophic failure with one engine. Smaller planes often have only one engine.
- The planes used in private aviation often don’t have two pilots, unlike most commercial jets. If one pilot in a smaller plane becomes incapacitated, a crash is almost always inevitable.
- The planes used in private aviation are not subject to the same maintenance standards of larger aircraft.
If the pilot of an aircraft was working when they were injured or killed, they or their family may have recourse through the worker’s compensation system. Worker’s compensation in California is based on a no-fault insurance program. In other words, there is no need for a worker to demonstrate fault in order to receive benefits. An injured worker or their family should file an Application for Adjudication of Claim after any workplace incident.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for a plane crash. The company responsible for maintaining an aircraft could be held liable for a crash. Equipment failure accounts for around 20% of aircraft losses. This is often due to inadequate maintenance. Planes are complex pieces of equipment and must be properly maintained to fly safely. If the company responsible for maintaining a plane failed to perform needed maintenance, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Plane manufacturers have a legal responsibility to create aircraft that are reasonably safe and could face liability for a crash. Product liability claims will typically be based on design, manufacturing or marketing defects. As outlined in Bell Atlantic Corporation v. Twombly, plaintiffs pursuing an aviation products liability claim must identify the component(s) that are defective, the manner in which they failed, and who is responsible for that failure. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any plane crash.
- It should be determined if the pilot performed a pre-flight safety check.
- The actions of the pilot during the flight should be understood.
- Maintenance records for the plane should be examined.
- The plane’s “black box” should be analyzed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any person that died in a plane crash may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. Surviving victims are also able to pursue aid through a bodily injury claim. Sadly, though, the company responsible for maintaining an aircraft will often fight hard to deny any liability for a crash. An aviation accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating An Oceanside Plane Crash
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Paige Halbert. It is our sincere hope that Matt Wampler will be able to make a full recovery. This is the second crash to involve a GoJump Skydiving aircraft in the last few months. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened so that other tragedies can be averted.
Do you need more information about an Oceanside plane crash? Our team of aviation accident attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
