| For thousands of years, man dreamed of flight. After | | | | Personnel-related causes encompass a vast array of |
| hundreds of failed attempts, the Wright Brothers built | | | | behaviors, including: |
| the first successful engine-powered air plane in 1903. | | | | Aggressive maneuvering, such as aerobatics, |
| Since then, the intrigue has waned slightly; however, | | | | buzzing the ground, and tight U-turns |
| there are still avid aviation advocates. Private planes | | | | Failure to obey flight instruction |
| are a luxury few people can afford, but if you do find | | | | Loss of handling and control (72%) |
| yourself invited to take off in one, you should be | | | | Poor planning and decision-making (36%) |
| informed about the potential risks and dangers of | | | | Improper use of aircraft equipment (11%) |
| private planes. | | | | By and large, most personnel-related accidents were |
| Startling Statistics | | | | due to inexperienced pilots who either did not have a |
| Flying in private planes is exponentially more dangerous | | | | flying certificate, or were in the process of receiving |
| than flying on a commercial jet. According to reports | | | | one. |
| from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), | | | | Private Planes and Liability |
| A total of 1,670 general aviation accidents | | | | Flying over a hundred miles per hour thousands of feet |
| occurred in 2005 | | | | in the sky is risky business. If you encounter |
| General aviation accidents rose 3% from 2004 to | | | | complications or obstructions, it can be very difficult to |
| 2005, with an additional 53 accidents | | | | maneuver the plane to safety.. When riding as a |
| 563 people died in 2005 from general aviation | | | | passenger in a private jet, you are relying on the pilot |
| crashes | | | | to keep your safety in mind. Similarly, if a student pilot is |
| Pilots with less than 100 hours of experience flying | | | | taking lessons with an instructor, they depend on the |
| a specific aircraft model account for 45% of fatal | | | | instructor to guide them to safety. If the responsible |
| crashes | | | | party fails to uphold their duty of care, they may be |
| Cause for Accidents | | | | liable for damages. |
| General aviation accidents happen for a number of | | | | If someone you love has been injured or killed in a |
| reasons. Data gathered by the NTSB indicate that | | | | general aviation accident, you may be eligible to |
| personnel-related causes or factors were cited in 91% | | | | receive compensation for your losses. For more |
| of the 1,646 general aviation accident reports for 2005. | | | | information about private plane accidents, contact the |
| Additionally, environmental causes/factors were cited | | | | Austin aviation accident attorney Vic Feazell at |
| in 39% of these accident reports, and aircraft-related | | | | 877-948-4842. |
| causes/factors were cited in only 25%. | | | | |