Every year, there are hundreds of plane crashes around the country, the vast majority of which involve small, privately owned planes. What makes these accidents particularly tragic is that they often could be avoided, if not for certain preventable problems causing the accident. Here are seven risk factors that are known to cause small plane accidents:


  • Inadequate maintenance
      • One of the most common issues in small plane crashes is a lack of consistent maintenance. Planes should always be kept well-maintained to minimize the risk of a mechanical failure mid-flight.
  • Defective parts
      • Another related issue that often comes up in small plane accidents is the presence of defective parts. Even if well-maintained, a plane containing improperly manufactured or designed parts might still fail without warning.
  • Bad weather
      • Anyone looking to fly should always keep an eye on the weather, and avoid flying when conditions are bad. Rain, wind, snow, and lightning can all contribute to the risk of small plane accidents.
  • Inexperienced pilots
      • While every pilot has to start somewhere, that does not mean it is necessarily safe for them to fly on their own. Inexperienced pilots are more likely to make serious mistakes that can result in an otherwise avoidable accident.
  • Air traffic control errors
      • Likewise, air traffic controllers are often overworked and can struggle to keep things straight. When they make a mistake, it is possible for planes they direct to crash when they might otherwise have been safe.
  • Exhaustion
      • Piloting can be physically and mentally taxing, which is why you should only do it if you are well-rested and in good physical health. If you are exhausted, you are more likely to make serious mistakes, or even fall asleep in the air, potentially causing an accident in the process.
  • Intoxication
    • Just as with driving a car, piloting a plane while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a bad idea. People who get drunk or high prior to piloting a plane are much more likely to cause small plane 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.