Out of all the potential reasons you could be involved in an airplane crash in California, most probably involve a malfunction while you’re in the air. But one of the most common–and still devastating–reasons that an aircraft accident happens is when the landing gear malfunctions as you are touching down.
No matter how it happens, when you’re injured in an airplane accident, it can have severe consequences as you move forward with your life. At Maison Law, we proudly stand up for accident victims and work tirelessly to hold responsible parties accountable. If you or a loved one have been injured because of a landing gear malfunction or any other type of negligence in an airplane crash, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today to set up a free consultation to discuss your options.
How Does a Landing Gear Work?
Before getting into how a landing gear can malfunction during a flight in California, it’s important to first understand how a landing gear works. As the name suggests, the landing gear is the part of an airplane that:
- Allows the plane to safely takeoff and land back on a runway
Thus, a landing gear is an essential component of many airplanes that are in use in California. Generally speaking, they operate in the following ways:
- Main landing gear – Most commercial aircraft have a set of main landing gear, usually located under the wings near the fuselage. These are the primary support structures for the aircraft on the ground.
- Nose landing gear – In addition to the main landing gear, many aircraft have a nose landing gear located under the front of the fuselage or cockpit area.
- Retraction and extension – The landing gear can be retracted and extended as needed during a flight. Before takeoff and after reaching a safe altitude, the landing gear is retracted to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.
- Hydraulic system – Landing gear operation is typically powered by hydraulic systems. When the pilot or automated systems initiate gear retraction or extension, hydraulic pumps generate pressure to move the gear.
- Downlock mechanism – when the landing gear is extended for landing, a downlock mechanism ensures that the gear stays securely in place. It prevents accidental retraction during flight.
- Shock absorption – The landing gear includes shock-absorbing components, such as struts and tires, to cushion the impact during landing. These components absorb and distribute the energy generated during touchdown, providing a smoother landing.
- Indicator lights – Cockpit instruments provide visual and audio indicators to inform the flight crew about the status of the landing gear. green lights indicate that the gear is down and locked, while red lights or warnings signal issues with gear extension or locking.
- Emergency procedures – Airplanes are equipped with backup systems and emergency procedures in case the primary landing gear system experiences a malfunction. This can include manual cranking mechanisms or backup hydraulic systems.
- Landing sequence – During the final approach and landing phase, the pilot ensures that the landing gear is extended and locked in place. The aircraft touches down on its landing gear, and the shock-absorbing components help absorb the energy from the landing impact.
With all of these components, it’s important to remember that they all have to work together to make sure the plane can either takeoff or land safely. By that logic, if one component breaks down or malfunctions, it could result in any number of different types of accidents.
Types of Airplane Crashes Caused By Landing Gear Failures
While a landing gear is only meant to function during two aspects of the flight, it’s often takeoff and landing where a number of more devastating accidents happen to those on an airplane. The reason for this has a lot to do with the necessary speed and deceleration that’s needed for takeoff and landing, respectively. Thus, when a landing gear doesn’t work correctly, it can lead to:
- Gear-up landing – In this type of crash, the landing gear fails to extend or lock into place during landing. As a result, the aircraft lands on its belly without the support of the landing gear. this can cause significant damage to the aircraft’s underside and can lead to a rough landing.
- Nose gear collapse – When the nose landing gear fails to properly support the front of the aircraft during landing, it can collapse. This may cause the nose of the plane to impact the runway, leading to a crash known as a nose gear collapse accident.
- Main gear collapse – Main landing gear failures involve the collapse or malfunction of the wheels and struts located under the wings. This can lead to a hard landing or runway excursion, where the aircraft veers off the runway.
- Partial gear failure – Sometimes, only one set of landing gear (either main or nose gear) may fail, leading to an unbalanced landing. This can result in the aircraft tilting to one side during touchdown, potentially causing further damage.
- Gear retraction during landing – In rare instances, the landing gear may retract unintentionally while the aircraft is still in the process of landing. This can lead to a sudden loss of support and result in a crash.
- Runway overrun – If the landing gear fails to slow down or stop the aircraft upon landing, it may run off the end of the runway. This type of crash is known as a runway overrun.
- Structural damage – Landing gear failures can cause structural damage to the aircraft, affecting its overall stability and safety. In some cases, this damage may lead to a subsequent crash during takeoff or flight.
Like any accident, it’s very likely that you or a loved one can suffer a range of injuries when you’re in an airplane crash that results from a landing gear failure. And like any other accident in California, you have legal rights and options if this happens to you.
What is the Legal Process Like After an Airplane Crash in California?
While an airplane crash is quite different from a normal vehicle crash, it’s ultimately viewed like any other accident in terms of legal liability in California. In essence, if the accident was caused by a malfunctioning landing gear, it’s likely that the company that manufactured the landing gear will be liable for your injuries and damages. That said, if some other form of negligence led to the accident, any number of other parties could also be involved. Generally speaking, negligence in these situations have four elements:
- The pilot, maintenance crew, or company that made the landing gear owes a legal duty to the injured person.
- These parties breached this duty
- Injuries occurred as a result of this breach.
- It can be proven that the breach of duty directly led to the injuries (also known as “proximate cause”).
Options After an Airplane Accident in California
Not surprisingly given the circumstances in play, airplane crashes in California often result in severe injuries, leading to extensive medical care and negative impacts on your life and income. Worse yet, these accidents are often fatal, meaning your surviving family will have to try to move forward in the wake of the accident. Fortunately, California law allows accident victims to seek damages from the responsible party. This can be done by either:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
While the process is not always straightforward, our team of California airplane accident lawyers can assist you in navigating it. In a successful claim, you may potentially recover damages for:
- Lost earnings due to the accident.
- Future income loss caused by the accident.
- Medical bills and expenses for rehabilitation and physical therapy.
- Compensation for pain and suffering.
- Support for a reduced quality of life resulting from the accident.
- Financial assistance for changes in appearance or permanent injuries.
- Funeral and burial expenses and other damages if the accident was fatal
To file an injury claim after an airplane accident, you’ll need a good understanding of the legal process and how to deal with insurance companies. Our team of dedicated, experienced lawyers is here to support you through this challenging recovery journey.
Work With Our Dedicated California Airplane Accident Lawyers
At Maison Law, our team of experienced airplane accident lawyers can help you and your family if you’ve been injured in an accident resulting from a malfunctioning landing gear or some other form of negligence. No matter what level of injuries you suffer, we can help you navigate this process. To get started with a free consultation, contact us today.
