John King, of Torrance, Died In Sylmar Plane Crash Near The Whiteman Airport In Pacoima
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (April 23, 2022) – A Cessna 337 Skymaster pilot identified as John King died in a plane crash not far from the Whiteman Airport in Pacoima.
Los Angeles County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. John King was flying the twin engine Cessna 337 Skymaster when he reported mechanical trouble shortly after takeoff.
The plane hit several trees before coming to rest in an embankment by the 210 freeway in Sylmar. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim.
Despite life-saving measures, John King died due to the severity of his injuries. He was the only person on board the plane when it crashed.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause of the Sylmar plane crash.
Liability In Sylmar Plane Crashes
Commercial air travel remains one of the safest forms of transportation in the United States. The vast majority of plane crashes that occur every year occur in private aviation. According to the National Safety Council, “Major airlines (scheduled service) experienced no onboard fatality and a fatal accident rate of 0.0 per 100,000 flight hours in 2020. This contrasts sharply with general aviation, which experienced 323 onboard deaths and a fatal accident rate of 1.049 per 100,000 flight hours.” There are a number of common causes of plane crashes.
- Air traffic controller error
- Design and manufacturing defects
- Maintenance failures
- Inclement weather
Takeoff and landing are the most dangerous parts of any flight. It is when nearly all accidents take place. Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for a plane crash. For example, the company that manufactured a Cessna 337 Skymaster could be liable for a crash. All companies must manufacture products that are reasonably safe. They will be liable for products that are unreasonably dangerous. They may also be liable for failing to warn purchasers about the non-obvious dangers associated with the use of their products.
The company responsible for the maintenance of an aircraft could also be liable for a crash. Twin engine planes can be very complex and they need periodic and preventative maintenance to operate safely. If a company failed to adequately maintain or repair an aircraft, this could easily lead to a catastrophic failure. This is why it’s so important to examine the full history of a plane’s maintenance records after any collision.
Consider, for example, the case of Dr. Marsico and Ms. Moran v. Winner Aviation. Ms. Moran was flying a Cessna 337 Skymaster with her passenger Dr. Marsico when the plane crashed at a water treatment plant. The crash landing and subsequent fire left both plaintiffs with disabling injuries. Attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that the crash was due to “ineffective inspections and maintenance” on the part of Winner Aviation. Ultimately, a jury ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and awarded $11.35 million in compensatory damages. There are many steps that should be taken after a plane crash.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
- If a plane was equipped with a “black box” this should be examined.
- Air traffic controller recordings should be sought.
- Maintenance records for the plane should be reviewed.
The family of any victim that died in a plane crash may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the unexpected expenses that come with the sudden loss of a loved one. Sadly, though, plane manufacturers and mechanics will fight hard to deny liability for any crash. An aviation accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Los Angeles County Plane Crash
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of John King. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the FAA. It is our sincere hope that there is a thorough investigation into what happened for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Sylmar 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 an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
