Members of Family Killed in Orlando Aviation Accident

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on January 12, 2010

A 45-year-old woman and her three children who died when their aircraft crashed into Lake Russell. The children, aged 19, 18 and 16, and their mother had just taken off from Walt Disney World on their way to Fort Lauderdale when the aviation accident occurred. The light aircraft they were traveling in was reportedly being piloted by the woman’s 19-year-old son when the accident occurred.

The family members were the only people aboard the Cessna 172 when the aircraft plunged into the lake for reasons yet unknown. Police divers have been trying to retrieve the bodies from the Cessna’s cabin but have had to deal with poor visibility in the lake and water full of caimans. Police say the 19-year-old pilot had just recently earned his pilots license after starting his training this past June at the Fort Lauderdale flying school. The aircraft, owned by Airborne Systems, Inc., regularly leases aircraft out to the flying school.

There are seldom any survivors of aviation accidents, whether it is a small, single-engine aircraft like the one in this story or a large commercial airliner. Investigators are still combing through the wreckage trying to determine what caused the aviation accident and there could be a number of causes. Pilot inexperience, mechanical failure, adverse weather conditions, collision with another aircraft and pilot error are the most common causes of aviation accidents in Orlando and elsewhere.

Aircraft of all kinds require regular inspection and maintenance, and pilots must undergo scheduled physical examinations to determine their fitness to pilot an aircraft. Although there are many safety checks in the system to ensure that both pilot and aircraft are fit to fly, aviation accidents still occur.

If a person, agency or business was found to be negligent in his or her responsibilities, he or she may be held liable.

Orlando aviation accident attorney James O. Cunningham has been helping aviation accident victims and their families since 1977 and has a great deal of experience in aviation accident cases. He has the experience and resources to take on complex aviation accident cases and works very hard for each client. Call Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.