Cottonwood, CA – In the late afternoon of Tuesday, April 29, 2025, a small plane crash resulted in one fatality and left another person critically injured, according to CBS13.
The Tehama County Sheriff’s Office reports that the crash took place around 4:00 PM near Phyllis Road, southwest of the community of Cottonwood.
Authorities say the aircraft involved was an Aeronca Champion 7EC with two individuals on board at the time of the crash. The pilot, whose name has not yet been released, died at the scene. The passenger was airlifted to a nearby hospital and is reported to be in critical condition.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will conduct a joint investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Details surrounding the circumstances leading up to the incident remain unknown.
Single-Vehicle Collisions
In some cases, investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident, external factors may share some responsibility. California’s Comparative Negligence rule means that, even if those injured in accidents are found partially at fault, they may still be eligible to receive partial compensation for damages.
Passenger Liability
Pilot liability insurance covers both those outside the vehicle and passengers inside. While it can be emotionally difficult to file a Personal Injury claim against someone close to the victim, the financial challenges after an accident can be overwhelming.
A skilled personal injury attorney can help families pursue proper compensation for their loss by handling these legal complexities and negotiating with insurance companies, who always try to reduce payouts on claims they cannot deny.
