When an airplane crash occurs, the families of those killed and injured in the crash deserve to know what precisely caused the crash and what safety measures can be taken to prevent other families from enduring similar tragedies.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the small plane crash that occurred Sunday in Soldotna, Alaska, killing nine members of two South Carolina families who were vacationing.

The small plane crashed and burst into flames as it was taking off from a small airport on the Kenai Peninsula, about 80 miles southwest of Anchorage, according to initial reports. The de Havilland DHC3 Otter air taxi, operated by Rediske Air, was engulfed in flames when firefighters reached it.

The pilot of the small plane had been scheduled to take the families to a bear viewing lodge, according to The State newspaper.

Among the 10 victims of the crash were four members of the family of a Greenville radiologist and five members of another family from Greenville, as well as the aircraft pilot, according to USA Today.

It’s the second plane crash in Alaska to take the lives of South Carolinians in less than a month. A Greenville man and Simpsonville woman were killed along with the pilot on June 28 in a tour plane crash close to Cantwell, Alaska.

The causes of an airplane accident may include pilot error, mechanical failure, airport error, lack of proper maintenance of the aircraft and non-compliance with FAA rules and regulations.

When avoidable accidents occur as a result of negligence, those responsible should be held accountable for the harm caused. While nothing will bring back lost loved ones, holding those responsible for an accident focuses attention on safety issues and can prevent future accidents.

Every airplane accident requires thorough investigation and research. It is important to work with a law firm that has experience in aviation accidents and understands the federal rules governing aircraft operation. Contact our airplane accident lawyers at the Joye Law Firm at 888-594-7742 or use our online form.

About the Author

Mark Joye is the Head of the Litigation Department at the Joye Law Firm. A Board-Certified Trial Advocate with nearly 30 years of litigation experience, he currently serves on the Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice and is a past president of the South Carolina Association for Justice. In a recent trial, Joye headed a trial team that secured $17 million for a family killed in a tractor-trailer accident.

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