Aviation Accident Attorneys
Aviation Law Group PS is a leading West Coast law firm representing plaintiffs in the West Coast, the United States, and the World in aircraft accidents and other aviation-related cases involving serious injury/wrongful death. With more than 30 years of experience practicing law, and more than 40 years in aviation, ALG is proud of our excellent legal work on behalf of hundreds of clients. We routinely handle cases with local counsel in all 50 State and Internationally. Additionally, ALG attorneys are licensed to practice law throughout the Western United States including Alaska, Washington, Hawaii, and California.
Aviation Law Group Commences Investigation Into September 4, 2022 Northwest Seaplanes Fatal Accident In Washington
On September 4, 2022, a Northwest Seaplanes (DHC-3 – De Havilland Otter, registered as N725TH), operated by Friday Harbor Seaplanes, crashed into the waters of Mutiny Bay off the southwest coast of Whidbey Island killing 10 persons on board including one child. Our sincere thoughts and condolences go out to the families of the passengers and pilot.
This accident hits very close to home for Aviation Law Group, as we are headquartered in Seattle, and our attorneys, who are all pilots, have spent many years flying in the Pacific Northwest, including flying seaplanes.
Like so many people, we want answers and want to know why this aircraft lost control and crashed into Puget Sound. ALG has thus commenced its own investigation into the accident. Our team includes four commercial pilots of which two are also FAA-certified mechanics. Our investigation comes with experience: ALG has investigated and represented victims of many seaplane accidents occurring in Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska, including numerous accidents involving the same type of aircraft here, the DHC-3 De Havilland Otter. Our attorneys have experience flying De Havilland single-engine airplanes.
We recently finished a case where we represented 4 victims in the crash of a DHC-3 Otter seaplane in Alaska, and are currently working on behalf of numerous victims who were involved in yet another DHC-3 Otter crash earlier this year.
While we could guess at the possible causes of this tragic accident, we refrain from doing so at this early stage. We have learned that it is better to base our accident evaluations on solid facts rather than speculation.
As our investigation continues we will periodically update our news blog with more information about the accident, our investigation, the operational history of DHC-3 aircraft, and related issues.
Mutiny Bay Seaplane Accident
Links and Analysis
by Aviation Law Group Attorneys
Bob Hedrick
Attorney 30+ years
Commercial Pilot
A&P Aviation Mechanic
20+ years Teaching
Aviation Accident Law
Casey DuBose
Attorney 7+ years
Commercial Pilot
Flight Instructor
Aviation Law Speaker
Kerry Kovarik
Attorney 11+ years
Flight Instructor
IA Aviation Mechanic
Chris Rusing
Attorney 20+ years
Airline Pilot & Instructor
Airbus 320 Series Captain
WHAT WE DO
Aviation Accident Law
General Aviation Accidents
General aviation involves private and recreational flight activity. It includes non-airline flights such as scenic flights, flight training, private flights, recreational flights, helicopter flights and operations, seaplanes, flying clubs, business flights, gliders, and a lot of other aerial activity. All of Aviation Law Group attorneys have extensive experience in many aspects of general aviation, from flying and instructing, to operations and aircraft maintenance. Since 1988, our lawyers have handled accidents involving nearly all aspects of general aviation activity for airplanes, helicopters, and fixed base operators.
Helicopter Accidents
Helicopter accidents often involve issues of external load operations such as longline or external load (link to external load), heli-lifting, heli-logging, and fire-fighting support.
Major Airline Accidents
ALG attorneys have represented numerous families who lost loved ones in major airline disasters, such as the January 31, 2000, Alaska Flight 261 accident near Point Hueneme, California, and the February 25, 2009, Turkish Airline Flight TK 1951 accident in Amsterdam. We have extensive experience with international airline liability law, including the Montreal Convention and its predecessor the Warsaw Convention, where issues of liability, jurisdiction, applicable law, and recoverable damages are complex. ALG attorneys have given many talks and written numerous articles in this specialized field of law. Mr. Hedrick also teaches the Montreal Convention as part of his Aviation Accident Law course at Seattle University School of Law.
International Coverage and Regional Expertise
Washington
Unfortunately, aircraft accidents occur nearly weekly throughout Washington. In addition, many aircraft accidents outside of Washington involve Washington manufacturers or operators.
Alaska
Because of the extent of aviation activity throughout the 49th and largest state in the U.S., Robert Hedrick obtained his attorney license in Alaska nearly 20 years ago in 2002 and is an active member of the Alaska Bar Association.
Hawaii
Aviation activity is unique in the Hawaiian archipelago because of its location and geographical topography.
Recent Aviation Law News
The Tragic Crash Of A Cessna 208B In Washington Involving Raisbeck Engineering Raises Serious Questions About What Happened
News reports include witnesses identifying a possible fire and/or aircraft break-up before impact.
FAA Emergency AD For De Havilland Otters Raises Questions
Despite Canada finding that the corrosion and fatigue conditions constituted an unsafe condition likely to develop in other aircraft, which came out on July 19, 2018, the FAA did not issue an AD or publicly act for 4 years. Only after the accident did the FAA publish this emergency AD.
The Northwest Seaplanes Accident on Mutiny Bay: A Few Preliminary Thoughts and Legal Considerations
BY ROBERT HEDRICK, CASEY DUBOSE, KERRY KOVARIK, AND CHRIS RUSING {This article was originally published in the Washington State Bar News, October 2022. The Bar News is mailed to every attorney in the State of Washington. We are delighted that it was a featured...
Representative Cases
Airplane Mis-fueling Accident
A lineman working for local aircraft fueling operation pumped Jet-A aircraft fuel into the tanks of a reciprocating single-engine airplane, which required 100 octane low lead fuel.
Defective Carburetor Accident
In February 2013, following a 3-week trial, a Washington jury returned a verdict for $8.9 million in favor of our client against an aircraft engine manufacturer.
Regional Fly-In Accident
After a 3-week jury trial, Robert Hedrick obtained a $10.5 million verdict against a regional fly-in host and its national counterpart. The case involved failure to arrange for adequate fire and emergency response at the event, which caused a pilot to die needlessly.
Aircraft Design Defect
Last year, after a two-week trial, a 12-person jury returned a verdict in favor of the clients of Aviation Law Group, finding that an aircraft’s flight control system was defectively designed, which caused the deaths of a pilot and his passenger.
Firm Contact Information
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an aviation-related accident, please reach out to us. We are always willing to provide a free initial evaluation and meeting.