While people tend to think of aviation accidents, often they think of large commercial airplanes or helicopters crashing. However, in reality, it is smaller planes that are most likely to get into accidents, for a variety of reasons. Here are five problem that may arise that can potentially cause small plane accidents:

  1. Poor weather
    • A shockingly common culprit that can cause small plane accidents is inclement weather. Rain, fog, high winds, and other poor weather conditions can potentially make it dangerous to fly, even for experienced pilots. That is why anyone looking to fly should check the weather before they decide to go flying, but not everyone does.
  2. Mechanical failures
    • Another serious issue often seen in small plane accidents is mechanical malfunctions. Often, this is due to a lack of proper maintenance on the part of the pilot or plane’s owner, but it can also be the result of a defect introduced during the design or manufacture of particular plane parts. These mechanical failures can either cause emergencies, or make it harder for someone to mitigate an ongoing disaster.
  3. Lack of training or experience
    • It should come as no surprise that inexperienced and poorly trained pilots are more likely to get into an accident than more experienced, well-trained pilots. However, when it comes to small planes, pilots tend to be on the inexperienced side, especially when it comes to private pilots who own their own planes. This makes them more vulnerable to the kinds of mistakes that can cause accidents.
  4. Pilot error
    • Another major factor in small plane accidents, as well as other types of aviation accidents, is pilot error. While inexperience can play a factor in this, it can also be the result of other issues, such as fatigue, intoxication, or simple bad judgment. As a result, pilots and their passengers can be placed at risk of an accident due to a simple momentary mistake.
  5. Air traffic controller error
    • Pilots rely on air traffic controllers to ensure they land and take off safely. However, air traffic controllers are often overworked and exhausted, meaning there is an increased chance of them making serious errors. When this happens, they could potentially cause a small plane accident, or other types of aviation accidents.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.