A trainer plane flying out of Randolph Air Force Base crashed near Rolling Oaks Mall in northeast San Antonio on Wednesday, September 19, due to what was referred to as ‘engine failure at low altitude.’ The crash injured two crew members, though both were treated and released from a clinic on the base. The plane came down in a field on Circle Dot Ranch, causing no other damage or injury, but mere feet either way could have made the accident much worse. Airplane crashes are surprisingly common in Texas, and they can cause severe injury.

Statistics and Causes Vary

While many think that plane crashes are isolated events, private plane ownership has made them more common, especially in states like Texas with a lot of space and open air. Recent statistics show over 12,000 private planes owned in the United States; one can imagine that a significant portion of them are housed in Texas. Between private jets, the state’s many busy commercial airports, and the six Air Force bases, planes are popular and common. Mere numbers do not cause crashes, however; there are multiple possible causes of aviation accidents, and the causes of some incidents may never be discovered.

Most of the causes of aviation crashes can be put down to pilot error, especially in private planes, with common reasons being lack of experience, flying through rough weather or cloud cover, and many others that could (at least in theory) be avoided. However, some accidents do simply occur due to bad luck. It is not uncommon, for example, for a pilot to experience some kind of mechanical failure and stall while attempting to land - in such a situation, often there will be very little a pilot can do.

Four individuals in their New Braunfels home were surprised when an ultra-light aircraft crashed into their roof. The pilot of the plane was trying to land in a nearby field after losing power when he hit an electrical line. The crash led to a small fuel leak that the New Braunfels Fire Department quickly contained and a power outage that was swiftly restored. While none of the five individuals involved were injured, plane crashes lead to serious injuries and deaths every year. Those injured in plane accidents, whether a passenger in a large commercial plane or in a small personal craft, need to work with experienced personal injury lawyers to determine how to recover compensation for their injuries.

Airplane Accidents in the U.S.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, 1,290 civil aviation accidents occurred in 2014, causing 444 fatalities and hundreds of additional injuries. The general aviation category, which likely covers the ultra-light aircraft involved in the recent New Braunfels crash, witnessed the most accidents and fatalities in 2014, at 1,223 accidents involving 424 deaths. Of general aviation accidents that year, more than 80 occurred within Texas. There were also two non-scheduled commuter/on-demand carrier accidents and four scheduled air carrier accidents in Texas in 2014.

A hot air balloon crashed near Lockhart, Texas, at the end of July. There were 16 people aboard, including the pilot, and all were killed in the accident. The exact details of the crash are not clear yet, but what is known is that the hot air balloon caught fire in flight. It may have hit power lines as it came down to the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board is in charge of the investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been asked to assist. The organizations may determine if anyone was at fault for the tragedy or whether it was an accident not caused by anyone’s negligence. Car, truck, and even airplane accidents are much more common than hot air balloon crashes, but there is the potential for danger in any form of transportation. If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in an uncommon accident, contact an experienced Austin wrongful death attorney for help today.

One of the Worst Hot Air Balloon in Crashes in History

The loss of 16 lives makes this one of the worse hot air balloon accidents in decades. However, the event is not unprecedented. In 2013, a hot air balloon accident in Egypt killed 19 individuals. Only two people survived the accident, which authorities believe was caused by a torn gas hose. In 2012, there were two significant hot air balloon accidents. One killed 11 people in New Zealand, and another killed six and injured many others in Slovenia. Before Egypt and now Texas, the deadliest known air balloon crash was in 1989 when 13 people were killed in Australia. The pilot of that balloon was convicted of committing a dangerous act and sent to prison for two years.

A family of four was killed in an airplane crash north of San Antonio. Who is legally responsible for this tragedy, and what theories of liability may apply?

According to the Department of Public Safety, the single-engine craft went down shortly after it took off from Krestel Airpark in Spring Branch. Witnesses state that the plane nose-dived into a parking lot just east of Highway 281 and about a half-mile from the runway. When deputies from the Comal County Sheriff's Office arrived on the scene, the plane was fully engulfed in flames. They later identified the victims as an area man and his wife, along with their 8-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son.

Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration are also participating in the investigation.

There’s no doubt that being involved in an airplane accident can be one of the most harrowing experiences of your life. While many victims feel a big sense of relief from surviving a crash or other in-flight incident, some victims may continue to suffer from chronic pain long after the accident is over. Following are some of the most common types of accidents and incidents that can impact a passenger.

Minor accidents involving turbulence or the opening of the overhead baggage area can have big repercussions. Nearly 4,500 accidents happen every year involving overhead baggage compartments, which can fly open during flight. According to a NATO report, the heavier the items in the overhead compartment, the more serious injuries may be. With baggage fees going up at many airlines, more passengers are cramming their carry-ons full of items, making it all the more dangerous for passengers sitting underneath the heavy luggage.

Common injuries from falling luggage include fractures to the nose, mandible, or maxilla and whiplash. Severe turbulence while traveling can jerk airline passengers around, leading to fractures or even broken bones. When an airline has failed to maintain a minimum level of safety on board, passengers may have damage claims against the airplane carrier.