Out of necessity, an airplane is an extremely intricate piece of machinery. The many different parts ensure that a plane can have a smooth takeoff, cut through the air and wind resistance to maintain stability, and then have everything in working order to successfully land the plane. Then, the plane has to be maintained properly so that it can do it all over again during the next flight.
It’s not difficult to see how certain parts can break down over time, making the possibility of accidents ever present. However, sometimes airplane parts simply don’t work correctly to begin with. This only increases the chance that you or a loved one will be involved in an airplane accident in California.
California Airplane Accident Victims Can Count on Maison Law
At Maison Law, we understand the incredible challenges that can result from an airplane crash. At minimum, you’ll probably be facing serious injuries and a long, arduous road to recovery. In other cases, you may lose a loved one in a fatal accident, meaning you’ll lose their companionship and other contributions they made to your family.
No matter what your damages are, our team can help you get the financial support you deserve by helping you pursue your legal options. Don’t wait–contact us today to set up a free consultation.
What Are the Different Parts of an Airplane?
Not every airplane is built the same, but virtually all of them include a universal design that allows them to be operated with safety and efficiency in mind. With that said, an airplane is still a highly-complex machine with several key parts and components that work together to enable flight. Here is a quick overview of the different parts of an airplane:
- Fuselage – The fuselage is the main body of the airplane, housing the cockpit, passenger cabin, and cargo holds. It provides structural support and houses various systems and components.
- Wings – Wings are the large, flat surfaces that generate lift, allowing the airplane to become airborne. They come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the airplane’s design.
- Empennage – This includes the horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, and tail fin. The horizontal stabilizer helps maintain the airplane’s balance and stability, while the vertical stabilizer and tail fin control its yaw (side-to-side) movement.
- Engines – Jet engines or propellers provide the necessary thrust to propel the airplane forward. Modern commercial airplanes typically have two or more jet engines mounted on the wings or fuselage.
- Landing gear – The landing gear consists of wheels, struts, and other components that support the airplane during takeoff, landing, and while on the ground. It can be retractable on some airplanes for better aerodynamics during flight.
- Cockpit – The cockpit is the control center of the airplane, where the pilots sit. It contains the controls, instruments, and communication equipment necessary for flying and navigation.
- Avionics – Avionics are the electronic systems used in airplanes. This includes navigation systems, communication equipment, radar, and flight control systems.
- Fuel tanks – Airplanes have multiple fuel tanks to store the fuel required for the engines. The location and number of tanks vary depending on the airplane’s size and design.
- Ailerons – Ailerons are movable surfaces on the wings that control the airplane’s roll or its side-to-side movement. They are used to bank the airplane during turns.
- Flaps – Flaps are hinged surfaces on the wings that can be extended or retracted. They are used to increase lift and drag during takeoff and landing.
- Slats – Slats are movable leading-edge devices on the wings that improve lift at low speeds, such as during takeoff and landing.
- Spoilers – Spoilers are panels on the wings that can be raised to disrupt airflow over the wings, reducing lift. They are used for speed control and during descent
While these are the fundamental parts of most airplanes, it’s important to understand that they all must work together to make sure the plane operates the way it’s supposed to. To that end, a breakdown of one or more of these parts because of overuse or worse, because of defective components, can lead to serious accidents and injuries.
How Do Defective Parts Cause Airplane Crashes in California?
Even though an airplane is somewhat complex in terms of its design and function, it’s ultimately like any other machine or vehicle in that it relies on its parts and construction to ensure a safe operation. Thus, when a part is defective, it jeopardizes the whole operation. While this is hazardous under any circumstances, when it happens on an airplane, it’s all the more dangerous because of the extreme speeds and altitude involved.
Moreover, because airplane parts are designed with specific functions in mind, a defective part can frequently lead to accidents. Usually, this happens in the following ways:
- Reduced performance – Defective parts, whether it be faulty engines, control surfaces, or landing gear components, can seriously hamper an aircraft’s performance. For example, an engine failure due to a defective part can lead to a loss of power, making it difficult for the pilot to maintain altitude or control the aircraft.
- System malfunctions – Defective avionics systems, including navigation or communication equipment, can result in miscommunication between the flight crew and air traffic control, leading to navigation errors or difficulties in responding to changing conditions.
- Structural failures – Defective structural components, such as the fuselage or wings, can weaken over time or under stress, potentially leading to catastrophic failures, especially during flight. Structural failures can result from issues like material defects, poor manufacturing, or inadequate maintenance.
- Electrical system failures – Electrical system defects can disrupt critical systems on an aircraft, including flight control systems, lighting, or instrumentation. This can affect the pilot’s ability to safely operate the aircraft.
- Hydraulic system failures – Defective hydraulic components can cause problems with the control surfaces and landing gear, making it challenging for the pilot to maintain control during critical phases of flight, like takeoff and landing.
- Fuel system issues – Defective fuel system components can lead to fuel leaks, engine flameouts, or other fuel-related problems, which can compromise the aircraft’s performance and safety.
- Fires – Defective wiring, electrical components, or flammable materials can contribute to in-flight fires, which are particularly dangerous in an enclosed aircraft environment.
- Design flaws – In some cases, the overall design of an aircraft may have inherent flaws or deficiencies due to inadequate engineering or oversight during the development phase, leading to safety issues.
- Maintenance errors – Defective parts can also result from maintenance errors, where incorrect or substandard replacement parts are installed during maintenance procedures, compromising the aircraft’s reliability and safety.
- Failure to properly inspect parts – Inadequate inspection and maintenance practices, or a failure to detect defective parts during routine checks, can allow faulty components to remain in service, increasing the risk of an accident.
Aviation safety is closely monitored with strict maintenance and inspection procedures to catch and fix faulty parts before accidents happen. But sometimes, problems like quality control issues, manufacturing mistakes, or insufficient maintenance can still create risks. Ultimately, facing an airplane accident that was the result of defective parts first involves figuring out who is responsible.
Liability in California Airplane Accidents Caused By Defective Parts
Although it’s somewhat unique in terms of the environment, an airplane accident that injures you or someone else is ultimately viewed the same way as any other accident in California. Thus, if negligence led to the conditions that caused the accident, a number of different people could potentially be liable. The key elements of negligence are:
- Duty of care – The company or manufacturer has a legal obligation not to produce a faulty product that could cause an accident.
- Breach of duty – If they fail in this duty, it’s considered a breach.
- Injury – Someone, either you or another person, must suffer an injury due to the product’s defect.
- Causation – Establishing a connection, known as “proximate cause,” between the company, manufacturer, or seller breaching their duty by making the defective product available for purchase and the product causing the injury is crucial.
With negligence established, various scenarios can determine liability for your airplane accident injuries. When multiple parties share responsibility, you may have the opportunity to claim financial support from multiple insurance companies.
Our California airplane accident lawyers are well-versed in the law and skilled at dealing with multiple insurers. With our experience and resources, we can help you figure out all the liable parties, which may include:
- The pilot
- The airline
- Manufacturers responsible for defective parts
- Maintenance personnel
- The company that leased the airplane
- Shippers or loaders of the airplane
Figuring out who is ultimately responsible for your injuries in an airplane accident is only the starting point. The other part is actually seeing your claim through, which can sometimes be challenging. However, by working with our team, we’ll give you the support and guidance you need to do just that.
Recoverable Damages in a California Airplane Accident Claim
Airplane accidents often result in severe injuries and damages, and are unfortunately very often fatal for passengers. While each claim is unique, and what’s ultimately recoverable depends on your specific losses, we can help you navigate the claims process against the responsible party. In a typical airplane accident, claim, you can potentially recover the following:
- Lost wages
- Future income loss
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Expenses related to disfigurement or permanent injury
- Wrongful death expenses, like funeral and burial costs
While these damages form the core of your potential damages, it’s crucial to understand that insurance companies–or a judge and jury if you file a lawsuit–ultimately decide the settlement amount. Insurance companies have vast resources and practices in place to undervalue your claim, but by working with our team of experienced California airplane accident lawyers, we can help protect your rights and make sure your claim remains strong throughout your case.
Free Consultations For California Airplane Crash Victims
Regardless of the circumstances, an injury in California is never a welcome situation. However, when you’re injured in an airplane crash caused by a defective part or system, it’s even more frustrating.
At Maison Law, we are dedicated to ensuring that companies and manufacturers are held responsible for the products they produce and distribute. Contact us today to set up a free consultation to learn more about your options.
