Student Pilot Zach Rainey (Zachary Rainey) Died In Plane Crash That Killed Three Other People At North Las Vegas Airport —> GoFundMe Created To Help Victim’s Family
NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (July 24, 2022) – A student pilot identified as Zach Rainey has tragically died in a mid air plane crash near the North Las Vegas airport.
North Las Vegas officials are saying the mid-air collision between the Cessna and PA-46 Malibu aircraft took place on July 17. Zach Rainey was in the Cessna with his flight instructor when their aircraft was involved in a collision with a larger PA-46 Malibu aircraft.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. Sadly, Zach Rainey, his flight instructor and two people aboard the PA-46 Malibu aircraft all died due to their injuries.
Members of the National Transportation Safety Board arrived in Las Vegas on Monday and began their investigation to determine what happened. It may take up to a year or two for a full report to come out.
Zach Rainey was just a few flights away from getting his pilot’s license when tragedy struck. You can help support his family through GoFundMe. He leaves behind two small children.
An early analysis of the crash by an aviation non-profit indicated that the crash may have been caused by a pilot lining up on the wrong runway.
Liability In North Las Vegas Plane Crashes
The takeoff and landing phase are typically the most dangerous part of any flight. This is when the vast majority of plane crashes take place. According to Airbus, “Most of the accidents over the last 20 years occurred during approach and landing phases. Approach and landing are highly complex flight phases, which place significant demands on the crew in terms of navigation, aircraft configuration changes, communication with Air Traffic Control, congested airspace, and degraded weather conditions.” This is also the period when most mid-air collisions will take place. There are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce the odds of a mid-air collision.
- All pilots should memorize right-of-way rules.
- All pilots should know local traffic procedures.
- All pilots should maintain communication with air traffic control tower operators during descent and takeoff.
- Planes should be periodically inspected to ensure they are safe to fly.
- Pilots should use their lights to make themselves more visible during takeoff and landing.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for a mid-air plane crash. For example, the federal government could be liable for the negligent actions of employees in an air traffic control center. In general, the federal government has a great deal of immunity from civil suits. However, the government waived its immunity for air traffic control center negligence in the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) of 1944. In order to be liable for a collision, an employee of the air traffic control center must have been working within the course of his or her employment.
Air traffic controllers have a legal obligation to give pilots accurate information. They must keep track of where each aircraft is located using radar technology. If an employee of the air traffic controller tells a pilot that a certain runway or airspace is clear when it is not, this could easily lead to a mid-air collision. It could also form the basis of a negligence claim. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any mid-air collision.
- All communication between pilots and the air traffic control tower should be reviewed.
- The flight data recorders (i.e., black boxes) on the aircraft involved should be recovered and examined.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in a mid-air collision may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, funeral expenses and pain and suffering. Potential beneficiaries in a civil claim may include a victim’s spouse or dependent children. Unfortunately, air traffic controllers will fight hard to deny any liability for a plane crash. This is why it is so important that evidence is properly preserved after any collision. An aviation accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case free of cost and get to the bottom of what caused an accident.
Investigating A North Las Vegas Aviation Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Zach Rainey and the families of all who lost their lives in this horrible crash. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the FAA or NTSB. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. It is our sincere hope that safety measures will be put in place to help prevent other tragedies at this airport.
Do you need more information about a North Las Vegas airport plane crash? Our team of aviation safety experts 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 any plane crash we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
