A Beechcraft 95-B55 Baron twin-engined piston aircraft crashed Sunday morning, January 14 in Western Massachusetts. Three people were killed in the airplane crash. The aircraft was registered to Fly Lugu LLC, a flight training school in Westfield, Massachusetts. The aircraft was manufactured in 2007. The Baron took off from Westfield-Barnes Airport in Hampden County, Massachusetts.
We are very familiar with the Raytheon Beech aircraft, including the twin-engine Baron. One of my first aviation cases some years ago involved a fatal Baron crash, and Kreindler lawyers have been involved in multiple fatal crashes of twin-engine propeller driven aircraft after loss of one engine.
Preliminary Investigation
NTSB and FAA are investigating the crash. NBC-10 in Boston reports that the NTSB investigation will look at the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment. The investigation will also gather information and records regarding flight track data, air traffic control communications, aircraft maintenance, weather forecasts, weather and lighting conditions at the time of the crash, pilot’s license, ratings and recent flight experience, 72-hour background of the pilot, witness statements, electronic devices, and any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras.
Beechcraft Aircraft
The Beechcraft Baron aircraft was introduced in 1961. It is a light twin-engined piston aircraft designed and produced by Beechcraft.
Beechcraft aircraft have been involved in several famous crashes, including:
Musician Buddy Holly was killed as a result of a Beechcraft crash.
Musician Jim Reeves was killed as a result of a Beechcraft crash.
Musician Randy Rhoads was killed as a result of a Beechcraft crash.
Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak was seriously injured, but survived the crash of his own Beechcraft which he was piloting.
Kreindler Beechcraft Accident Cases
Some of the most challenging litigation problems can arise in cases involving a private plane crash. Our firm has worked on numerous accident cases involving Beechcraft airplanes, including:
Beechcraft C35 Bonanza, FAA and Air Traffic Control, Hicksville, NY
Hawker 800, East Coast Jets Flight 81, Owatonna, MN
Beechcraft 1900, Air Serv International, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
The key in any investigation is to challenge the NTSB results and independently check all aircraft and engine systems to ensure we identify the real cause and all contributing factors. In more than one case, the NTSB blamed the pilot for failing to “feather” the prop on the dead engine, a procedure essential to continue flight in a twin-engine aircraft with one engine out. Our more intensive investigation in multiple cases revealed mechanical system failures that prevented the prop from “feathering” —which caused loss of control followed by impact with terrain and multiple fatalities.
In the Media
CBS Boston Story on Crash - 1/15/24
Aviation Safety Network - 1/14/24
Kreindler Aviation Accident Experience
Kreindler is the preeminent aviation accident law firm in the world. Since 1950, our attorneys have served as leading counsel in nearly every major commercial aviation disaster litigation. Our staff of attorneys includes several veteran military pilots with commercial licenses. The firm has successfully handled countless private, charter, military, general aviation, and helicopter accident cases. Our partners have authored numerous highly acclaimed articles and books on aviation litigation, including the industry leading treatise, Aviation Accident Law. Kreindler has offices in Boston, New York and Los Angeles.
Photo Credit - Beechcraft 95-B55 Baron: Eric Friedebach via Flickr
We are very familiar with the Raytheon Beech aircraft, including the twin-engine Baron. One of my first aviation cases some years ago involved a fatal Baron crash, and Kreindler lawyers have been involved in multiple fatal crashes of twin-engine propeller driven aircraft after loss of one engine.
The key in any investigation is to challenge the NTSB results and independently check all aircraft and engine systems to ensure we identify the real cause and all contributing factors. In more than one case, the NTSB blamed the pilot for failing to “feather” the prop on the dead engine, a procedure essential to continue flight in a twin-engine aircraft with one engine out. Our more intensive investigation in multiple cases revealed mechanical system failures that prevented the prop from “feathering” —which caused loss of control followed by impact with terrain and multiple fatalities.
