A pilot was seriously injured as his small plane crashed just after takeoff from Fullerton Municipal Airport. Police say the single-engine Cessna Skyhawk SP had just taken off at about 6:30 Tuesday night when it suddenly veered left and crashed into the ground. Though the pilot suffered relatively minor injuries, is expected to survive, and nobody on the ground was injured, the Federal Aviation Administration will now proceed with an investigation of the crash.
The Code of Federal Aviation Regulations (CFR’s) Section 91.3 specifically states that the pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of their aircraft. As the sole person responsible for the safety of the flight, the FAA will conduct its investigation under the consideration that everything that occurred during that flight directly falls under the responsibility of the pilot of the doomed aircraft.
CFR 91.13 states that no person may operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another. The FAA (at least in the Western Region) has taken the stance that any violation of the CFR’s is a “de facto” violation of CFR 91.13. The FAA or NTSB has yet to release any information regarding whether any CFR’s were believed to have been violated. If the pilot did violate any CFR which may have led to the crash, there is a good chance the that such action will result in a complaint as to a “careless or reckless” operation of the aircraft. The FAA will pursue a violation of the CFR’s to the fullest extent permissible. Such action can result in, among other things, a suspension of your flying privileges and an increase (or denial) of your current or future insurance coverage.
As a sole pilot at the controls of a general aviation aircraft, you are the pilot in command of that aircraft. Anything that happens during your flight will fall under your responsibility. If you were charged with an aviation related violation, you need the help of a competent attorney as soon as possible. Please contact The Trial Lab at (562) 452-9522 or visit our website at www.thetriallab.com.