Mark Rand, Terri Rand Among Five People Killed In Care Flight Plane Crash In Northern Nevada Near Stagecoach —> GoFundMe Created For Victims’ Family
RENO, NEVADA (February 28, 2023) – Five people have died in a Nevada medical plane crash including the patient and his wife identified as Mark Rand and Terri Rand.
Lyon County officials are saying the single-engine Pilatus PC-12 medical transport plane first took off around 9:15 p.m. on Friday. It left the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and was heading to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mark Rand was identified as the patient being transported. He was accompanied by his wife Terri Rand. A pilot, paramedic and a flight nurse were also on board the plane.
A new investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the plane broke apart before it crashed. In aviation, this is typically referred to as catastrophic airframe structural failure. Debris from the wreckage was apparently scattered over three quarters of a mile.
The crash took place amid a winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service in Reno. Paramedics were called to the scene of the crash in order to help all of the victims.
Sadly, Mark Rand, Terri Rand, the pilot, paramedic and flight nurse all died at the scene. A full investigation into what may have contributed to the crash remains ongoing at this time.
You can support the family of Mark Rand and Terri Rand through GoFundMe.
Liability For Nevada Medical Transport Plane Crashes
Catastrophic airframe structural failures are relatively rare and nearly always fatal for those onboard the aircraft. According to the University of Texas at Austin, “Historically, the majority of the structural failures examined have been in metallic materials, reflecting the predominance of metallic structures in aircraft.” Elements that lead up to a structural failure could take place hours, weeks or months prior to a crash. Stress concentrations are a common cause of structural failures. These can occur for many different reasons.
- Stress concentrations may be due in part to design errors with the plane. This could include the presence of holes, notches, and tight fillet radii.
- Stress concentrations could appear in the microstructure of the material of the plane. The microstructure could contain voids or inclusions.
- Stress concentrations may result from the corrosive attack on the material of the plane. Pitting can also create stress concentrations.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous forms of liability for any plane crash caused by a structural failure. Companies that operate aircraft have a legal obligation to regularly inspect and properly maintain their planes. Plane crashes could be due in part to an aircraft not being adequately maintained. For example, the crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 was due to a structural failure caused by insufficient lubrication of the jackscrew assembly. The 2017 crash of United States Marine Corps KC-130 crash was due to a structural failure caused by improper repairs on a propeller blade conducted in 2011.
The company that manufactured an airplane could also face civil liability for a plane crash. In nearly every state, the company that manufactured an aircraft can be held “strictly liable” for a plane crash if it can be shown that a defect is what led to the crash. In many situations, mechanical retrofits on a plane can cause serious problems. Defects during the manufacturing process can over-stress a plane’s airframe and increase the odds of a catastrophic airframe failure. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any plane crash caused by a structural failure.
- Investigators need to recover and identify the failed components.
- If metallurgical failure is a suspected factor, the aircraft components should be sent off to be examined by a specialist.
- Investigators should also gather as much evidence as they can about the maintenance history of the plane.
- Macro-optical examination should be used to identify the failure site.
Air ambulance companies are considered common carriers and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. See, for example, Sherman v. S. Pac. Co., 33 Nev. 385, 405, 111 P. 416, 424. Common carriers must use extraordinary care, the exercise of the utmost skill, diligence and human foresight to keep their passengers safe. The family of any person that is killed in a plane crash may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim. It is absolutely crucial that all evidence is properly preserved after a plane crash. Regardless of what any company may claim, evidence is what will ultimately be used to demonstrate liability for an accident.
Investigating A Nevada Medical Transport Plane Crash
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the families of Mark Rand, Terri Rand and the other victims. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the FAA or NTSB. It is our sincere hope that there is a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Only after that can steps be taken to prevent similar tragedies.
Do you need more information about a Nevada plane crash? Our team of aviation safety advocates are here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that airlines are doing everything in their power to prevent collisions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
