Aviation Accident Attorneys
Aviation Law Group PS is a leading law firm representing persons on the West Coast and throughout the United States, in aircraft accidents and other aviation-related cases involving serious injury and wrongful death. ALG has expanded its domestic practice nationally to include the West Coast and East Coast, with offices in Seattle, Washington, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Jupiter, Florida. With more than 35 years of experience practicing law and more than 45 years in aviation, ALG is proud of our highly credentialed attorneys, who are all also certified commercial pilots and two are certified mechanics. ALG has a long history of excellent legal work and results on behalf of hundreds of clients in the highly technical and complex area of aviation litigation. ALG attorneys are licensed to practice law throughout the United States, including Alaska, Washington, Hawaii, California, and Florida. We routinely handle cases throughout the U.S., and with local counsel we can bring our aviation experience to cases in all 50 States, Canada, and Internationally.
Representing Passengers Harmed on
Delta Flight 56
At Aviation Law Group, our primary concern for the passengers of Delta Flight 56 is their physical and mental well-being and recovery. Many passengers are still dealing with the effects of this terrifying in-flight turbulence accident, including physical injuries, emotional trauma, fear of flying, and other disruptions that follow a serious aviation accident.
Once you retain ALG to represent you, you can rest assured that your legal interests are being protected, leaving you to focus on your health, your family, and your recovery.
ALG takes a thoughtful and thorough approach to every aviation case. After our own investigation into Delta Flight 56, which included passenger interviews, review of available flight and weather information, consultation with experienced airline pilots and aviation experts, and research into the federal aviation regulations, airline operations, turbulence avoidance, dispatch responsibilities, diversion decisions, and the Montreal Convention, we filed suit against Delta on June 26, 2026.
If you were a passenger on Delta Flight 56, it is not too late to join the lawsuit.
This is not simply a turbulence case. It involves questions about severe convective weather, preflight and in-flight weather information, cockpit decision-making, cabin safety, passenger warnings, seatbelt sign procedures, flight attendant safety, aircraft upset recovery, and the decision to continue to Minneapolis-St. Paul, rather than divert to a closer airport, after passengers and crew were injured.
Delta Flight 56 was an international flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam. Because of that, many passenger injury claims are governed by the Montreal Convention, the international treaty governing injuries suffered during international air travel. Understanding the Montreal Convention, including its application to bodily injury, liability, damages, and international carriage, is critical to protecting passengers’ rights.
If you were aboard Delta Flight 56 on July 30, 2025, or if a family member was on the flight, we would be honored to speak with you. We are also seeking witnesses and additional information from passengers, crew, family members, and anyone with knowledge about the flight, the cabin conditions, the turbulence event, the diversion, or Delta’s communications after landing.
Please contact us using the form to the right or call us directly at 206-249-9975.
More information about this accident and a copy of the complaint
are available at this link.
Bob Hedrick
Attorney 30+ years
Commercial Pilot
A&P Aviation Mechanic
20+ Years Professor of Aviation Accident Law
Casey DuBose
Attorney 10+ years
Commercial Pilot
Flight Instructor
Fluent Mandarin Chinese
Professor of Aviation and Space Law
Kerry Kovarik
Attorney 16+ years
Commercial Pilot
Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Former FAA Authorized Inspector
Chris Rusing
Attorney 20+ years
Airline Pilot & Instructor
Airbus 320 Series Captain
Brendan Keegan
Attorney 3+ years
Pilot 15+ years
Airline Pilot & Instructor
Boeing 737 First Officer
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
ALG is investigating the UPS Flight 2976 Crash: Legal Questions and Next Steps
On November 4, 2025, UPS Airlines Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F cargo aircraft, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville, Kentucky, killing all three crew members and at least six people on the ground. Early evidence points to a catastrophic left-engine failure moments after takeoff, possibly causing the engine to detach from the wing. The NTSB is investigating potential mechanical and maintenance factors, while legal questions of liability for victims and businesses affected are already emerging.
Abogados del Aviation Law Group profundamente preocupados por las fuertes similitudes entre el accidente del Hawker 800XP del 16 de octubre de 2025 en Michigan y el accidente del Hawker 900XP del 7 de febrero de 2024 en Utah
Cuando se dio a conocer la noticia del accidente de un Hawker 800XP en Michigan el 17 de octubre, los abogados del Aviation Law Group quedaron sorprendidos por las similitudes entre este suceso y otro caso en el que el despacho esta trabajando actualmente y el...
Aviation Law Group Attorneys Seriously Concerned About Strong Similarities Between The October 16, 2025 Hawker 800XP Accident In Michigan And The February 7, 2024 Hawker 900XP Accident in Utah.
Aviation Law Group is investigating the October 16, 2025 crash of a Hawker 800XP (XA-JMR) near Bath Township, Michigan. The accident bears striking similarities to a February 2024 Hawker 900XP crash in Utah. Both accidents involve post-maintenance stall tests that ended in unrecoverable spins. Our attorneys are examining potential safety issues in Hawker-series jets and continue to pursue answers to help prevent future accidents.
Singapore Airlines Flight 321: ALG Lawyers Concerned About Yet Another Severe Turbulence Accident
The team at Aviation Law Group is learning more about the Singapore Airlines (Flight SQ321) that hit severe turbulence on Tuesday, May 18, 2024, while in cruise flight over the Andaman Sea. This turbulence incident was extreme, and the injuries were astonishing...
TBM Accident In Truckee Has Unanswered Questions
At first view, an aircraft accident in bad weather might suggest pilot error. Not to the attorneys at Aviation Law Group. When an aircraft accident involves a qualified and experienced pilot flying a new aircraft in weather conditions sufficient for safe flight, we...
All Eyes on Boeing’s Ongoing Safety Saga
As the aviation industry grapples with Boeing's recent safety crises and leadership upheavals, the legal ramifications for the company and potential avenues for affected parties become increasingly significant. Recent reports by the FAA, industry experts, and the...
Tragic Test Flight: A Legal and Safety Analysis of the Hawker 900XP Accident
On February 7, 2024, just over the Colorado State line in Grand County, UT, a Hawker 900XP, registered as N900VA, met a tragic fate when it crashed in a remote area, killing both pilots. Our hearts go out to the pilot's families and friends. The aircraft had allegedly...
Analyzing the Unprecedented Dual Engine Failure: The Challenger 604 Incident on I-75
On February 9, 2024, at approximately 15:15 EST, a Bombardier Challenger 600 with five people onboard, crashed while attempting to make an emergency forced landing on Interstate 75 near Naples Florida. Both pilots were killed in the accident. Survivors include one...
In-Depth Analysis of Flight 1282 Accident: MED Failure and Its Ramifications
Released on February 6, 2024, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Preliminary Report on the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident that occurred on January 5, 2024, has brought significant concerns regarding aircraft safety and manufacturing standards to...
Alaska Airlines Flight 1282: New Airplanes Should Not Lose Parts In Flight
On Friday, January 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 had a normal departure and climb-out from Portland en route to Ontario, California. There were 171 passengers on board, with six crewmembers. As the 737 Max was ascending through 16,000 feet, traveling at...
The dangers of a loss of power on takeoff: Crash in Ocala Florida
On October 17, 2023, at roughly 10:50 a.m., a Tecnam P 2010 Mk II, crashed shortly after takeoff from Taylor Field, Ocala Florida, seriously injuring the student pilot and their instructor. Our hearts go out to the pilots and their families, and we wish them a speedy...
A Tragic Crash in Hillsboro Shows the Dangers of Multi-Engine Training Flights
On Tuesday, October 3rd at approximately 6:45pm, N8360K, a 1981 Piper PA-44 Seminole, operated by Hillsboro Aero Academy, tragically crashed killing two and leaving a third in critical condition. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. Video footage of...
NTSB Report: Pilot tried to activate fire suppression system in BSO helicopter.
In the recent tragic occurrence, a Broward Sheriff’s Fire Rescue helicopter, N108BC, crashed into an apartment building on August 28. According to the preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot noted an escalating temperature in...
ALG Starts Investigation on Broward County Helicopter Crash
On August 28, 2023, at around 8:41 a.m., a helicopter registration number N109BC, owned and operated by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue (BSFR) crashed into an apartment building in Pompano Beach, Broward County Florida killing a BSFR Captain and an adult civilian who was...
What Caused The Maritime Helicopters Crash On The North Slope Of Alaska on July 20, 2023?
On July 20, 2023, a Bell 206 helicopter, operated by Maritime Helicopters, Inc. crashed into a lake in northern Alaska. The three passengers and the pilot did not survive the accident. Our hearts go out to their families and friends. Alaska Department of Natural...
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.