Perhaps more than any other state, people in Alaska depend on air travel to get from place to place.  Not only is the state enormous in size, but there are many different areas of the state that simply cannot be accessed by any other mode of travel in a reasonable amount of time.  As a result, Alaska plane crashes can and do occur at a relatively high rate.  Partially as a result, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the CDC, has reviewed and studied the trends regarding Alaska plane crashes.

According to the CDC, a study of Alaska plane crashes revealed that an average of eight people died in five fatal Alaska plane crashes every year between 2000 and 2010.  The study also found that:

39 percent of Alaska plane crashes were associated with takeoff and landing sites that were not registered with the Federal Aviation Administration

• 28 percent of crashes were associated with poor weather and poor visibility as a result
• 20 percent of crashes were the result of the loss of control of the aircraft by the pilot
• 17 percent of crashes involved the pilot failing to clear an obstacle or land fixture
• 13 percent of crashes resulted from engine, part or component failure

Clearly, all of these crashes were disastrous in nature, and many of them likely could have been avoided if only a few different steps had been taken before takeoff or while the planes were already in flight.

Alaska Plane Crash Lawyers

Generally, when an Alaska plane crash occurs, the federal government will get involved in order to determine a cause for the crash.  When a cause has been determined, it often leads to the filing of Alaska personal injury lawsuits on behalf of those people who have been harmed or family members who have lost a loved one in a crash.  Successful claims of this type can lead to damages awards that compensate the plaintiffs for their losses.

If you or someone you love has suffered as a result of this type of incident, you need to seek the help of Alaska plane crash lawyers who have been fighting for the rights of those harmed for many years.  Contact Barber & Sims today to schedule a free initial consultation.