Tragic Cessna 550 Citation II Executive Jet Crash in Murrieta, California
July 11, 2023
Attorneys
What Happened
All six people aboard a Cessna 550 Citation II were tragically killed on July 8, 2023, when the executive jet they were traveling on crashed about 4:15am in foggy conditions about 500 feet short on the intended runway at the French Valley Airport in Murrieta, California. The Cessna aircraft departed from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada at approximately 3:15am and was making its second attempt to land after an initial missed approach, reportedly using an instrument approach landing system (ILS), when it crashed. According to news reports, National Transportation Safety Board investigator Elliot Smith said, “a foggy marine layer of air mass began to envelop the area, causing low visibility shortly before the pilot planned to land.”
The fixed-wing multi-engine Cessna 550 Citation II, registry number N819KR was registered to Prestige Worldwide Flights LLC in Imperial, California. The aircraft was manufactured in 1979 and equipped with turbo-fan Pratt & Whitney engines.
Learn more about Kreindler’s Leading Aviation Accident Law Practice.
Kreindler Aviation Attorneys and Pilots
Kreindler’s attorneys include five veteran military pilots, including partners Justin Green (USMC), Brian Alexander (U.S. Army) and Dan Rose (U.S. Navy).
Kreindler’s Experience with Cessna Crashes
Kreindler aviation attorneys have successfully handled many cases involving Cessna aircraft, including multiple cases involving the Cessna Citation airplane. Our Cessna cases include:
- The tragic crash of a Cessna Citation II 550 business jet (handled by Kreindler partners Brian Alexander and Dan Rose) in which an emergency medical transplant team including two surgeons, two perfusionists, and two pilots were killed while transporting organs en route to a patient awaiting a lung transplant at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI.
- A current fatal Cessna case that Kreindler aviation attorney (and veteran Marine aviator) Justin Green and Kreindler attorney Evan Katin-Borland are currently on that involves a Cessna 560 XLS+ aircraft that crashed shortly after takeoff from Robertson Airport in Plainville, CT, on September 2, 2021. That crash claimed the lives of two young, married physicians, Dr. Courtney Haviland and Dr. William Shrauner.
The Flight Path
Flight data shows what the pilot is reported to have indicated to air traffic control. That he performed a missed approach and was attempting a second attempt to land. According to a CBS News report, Elliott Smith of the NTSB said that is what happens when a pilot can’t see the runway environment.
Preliminary Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have sent investigators to the scene to work on determining the cause of the Cessna 550 Citation II executive plane crash. The preliminary report will be available in the next two weeks.
Previous Experience with Overcoming Worker’s Comp Limits
Whenever feasible, defense attorneys may try and limit their client’s exposure by claiming that a victim’s claims are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. In an ongoing case involving an emergency medical flight, Kreindler attorneys Dan Rose and Vincent Lesch defeated an attempt by the defense attorneys to apply workers’ compensation limits to the case. Additionally, attorneys Rose and Lesch succeeded in unraveling a complicated corporate shell structure regarding the ownership and operation of the involved aircraft.
In the Media
News stories, including a New York Post report, provide some details about the tragic Cessna 550 business jet crash. Two of the six passengers killed aboard the Cessna executive plane were pilots.
Kreindler’s Experience with Instrument Approach Procedures and Charter Operators
Kreindler attorneys have successfully litigated many cases involving instrument landing system (ILS) approaches. Additionally, Kreindler has successfully prosecuted claims on behalf of victims’ families in accidents involving many different charter operators. The safety of charter and business airplane operations can vary significantly from one operator to another. While some charter companies maintain outstanding safety practices and records, the operations of other private aircraft companies can leave a lot to be desired.
General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA)
The General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA) was passed by Congress in 1994 to limit the amount of time manufacturers can be held liable for accidents involving aircraft that are 18 years or older at the time of the accident. This statute of repose can protect manufacturers from liability, but there are some exceptions to the rules. GARA was meant to address the impact of extended product liability on general aviation aircraft manufacturers. While it does limit liability for most accidents involving older aircraft, it doesn’t completely shield manufacturers from responsibility. There are still situations where they can be held liable for accidents involving their products.
About Kreindler & Kreindler
Kreindler is the preeminent aviation accident law firm in the world. Our aviation accident attorneys have been appointed as leading counsel in virtually every major commercial airline disaster case both in the United States and abroad. Since 1950, we have worked tirelessly to establish an unparalleled record of success in resolving aviation crash cases for our clients. Kreindler attorneys are always available to provide expert guidance and representation to victims of aviation accidents nationwide.