American Airlines has been featured frequently in the news this year, and not in a positive way. Their Boeing 737 MAX airplane has been grounded since March 13, a decision made by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In April cancellations were extended through August 19, and again on Sunday, June 9 the announcement was made that the extension was delayed to September 3. This most recent update will affect travelers through one of the busiest travel times of the year – late summer. It is estimated that approximately 115 flights per day will be cancelled. American Airlines is the world’s largest airline, so this has caused quite the disruption.
Boeing has estimated that around $1 billion will be spent to investigate and fix an issue that is suspected to have caused two airplane crashes within a 5-month span of time. 346 lives were lost as a result of these tragedies. While both crashes are still under investigation, early reports suggest that there was a malfunction in the safety feature which forced the nose of the plane to lower when it sensed that the plane was in danger. The company is doing its best to recover from the grounding and is working hard to not only plan through the September cancellations, but also ensure traveler safety after such accidents.
Many people have a fear of flying, and these types of situations likely don’t help. Statistics show that it’s more likely to be involved in an auto accident than an airplane crash, but it can be scary nonetheless. There are so many factors that can lead to a plane crashing – faulty maintenance, pilot error, weather conditions, or even birds. Regardless of cause, the seriousness of airline crashes is catastrophic. So, we’re glad American Airlines is complying with the FAA to investigate any possibility of extra danger for passengers while in the air.
At Jones & Swanson, we’re experienced and educated in dealing with such incidents. Airplane accident investigations can be complicated, as there are state, federal, and international laws that apply and various agencies that get involved. Not to mention the extensive investigative work that goes into plane crashes – interviews, retrieving the black box, recordings, etc. Should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where you need the assistance of a personal injury or wrongful death attorney, please contact us at 770-427-5498.
Categories: Airplane Accidents, Catastrophic Injuries
