Airplane Crashes
In 2003, David M. Peterson settled claims for passengers who were on board an American Airlines flight from Kansas City to Chicago O'Hare International Airport on February 8, 1998. Flight 1340 was attempting to land in Chicago under what is known as a Category II approach, where vertical visibility was 100 feet. When the plane broke through the clouds, the pilot finally realized he was headed straight into the dirt, well in front of the runway. He pulled the nose of the plane up, but crashed the plane over
1,000 feet short of the runway, totaling the Boeing 727. Fortunately, no one was killed, but many people were injured and everyone suffered psychological damages, many developing a permanent fear of flying.
Private Plane Crash Lawsuits
The lawsuit was originally filed by Peterson & Associates, P.C. in Chicago, Illinois as a Class Action, and later turned into mass tort litigation, with Peterson & Associates, P.C. representing forty-four (44) individual passengers in consolidated litigation. We alleged the crash occurred due to pilot error and dangerous landing protocols utilized by American Airlines, which trained pilots to leave control of the plane in the hands of the autopilot until only 100 feet above the ground, then immediately switching control of the plane off of auto pilot and handing the controls from the co-pilot to the pilot, all only 100 feet above the ground while traveling at hundreds of miles an hour. Following the filing of our suit, American Airlines changed its landing protocol, greatly reducing the risk of future similar crashes. American Airlines of course denied its landing protocol was dangerous, and vehemently fought our allegations of pilot error. After a lengthy and protracted battle with American Airlines, we successfully negotiated confidential settlements for all of our clients.
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Airplane Crash News
NTSB investigator explains plane crash investigations (KAJ Flathead)
MISSOULA - A National Transportation Safety Board member says that every airplane crash presents challenges because each accident has its own set of circumstances. We spoke with an NTSB plane crash investigator who told us just what it takes for the agency to piece together an accident.
Forced Landing (WMDT Salisbury)
FREDERICK, Md. (AP) - The North American Aerospace Defense Command says a small airplane that violated restricted airspace near the nation's... Visit WMDT.com for the full story
NORAD intercepts plane, forces landing in Md. (The Washington DC Examiner)
FREDERICK, MD. — The North American Aerospace Defense Command says a small airplane that violated restricted airspace near the nation's capital was forced to land at the Frederick Municipal Airport.
NORAD intercepts plane, forces landing in Frederick (The Herald
FREDERICK, Md. The North American Aerospace Defense Command said a small airplane that violated restricted airspace near the nations capital was forced to land at the Frederick Municipal Airport.
As a Quadriplegic, NFL Great Continues His Mission (Flathead Beacon)
Doug Betters can’t walk but he can fly. His airplane is equipped with hand controls and he is equipped with an unflinching desire to seize life. He once dominated 300-pound linemen and collected NFL trophies. Today he saves lives, and flies when the sky calls. Last week, Betters maneuvered in a wheelchair around his airplane, which sits in a hangar at Glacier Park International Airport. He ...
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