Clovis Plane Crash Lawyer

Aviation accidents are sudden, catastrophic, and often fatal. The crash may have involved a small private plane, a charter flight, or a commercial aircraft near Fresno-Yosemite International Airport or one of the Central Valley’s general aviation airfields. Whatever the aircraft, survivors and families are left with life-altering injuries, mounting bills, and an investigation process that is overwhelming without experienced legal help. The Wagner Law Group represents plane crash victims and their families throughout Clovis and all of California.

Call us now at (833) 200-7111 for a free consultation, or Contact Us below and we will reach out to you.

Types of Aviation Accidents We Handle

Plane crash cases are not one-size-fits-all. The type of aircraft, the circumstances of the crash, and the parties involved all determine how a claim is built. Wagner Law Group handles:

Private and General Aviation Crashes

Small single-engine and multi-engine aircraft accidents are the most common aviation incidents in the Fresno and Clovis area. Fresno Chandler Executive Airport and Sierra Sky Park see regular general aviation traffic, and crashes involving private planes often involve pilot error, mechanical failure, or inadequate maintenance.

Charter and Air Taxi Accidents

Charter operations are subject to FAA regulations but carry significantly more risk than major commercial carriers. When a charter company cuts corners on maintenance, scheduling, or pilot qualifications, passengers pay the price.

Commercial Airline Accidents

Crashes involving commercial carriers departing or arriving at Fresno-Yosemite International Airport are relatively rare, but they involve complex federal regulatory frameworks, multiple corporate defendants, and very large damage claims.

Helicopter Crashes

Agricultural, medical transport, news, and tour helicopters all operate in the Central Valley. Helicopter crashes involve many of the same liability theories as fixed-wing crashes, plus specific issues related to low-altitude operations and weather.

Skydiving and Aerial Tour Accidents

When an aerial recreation operator fails to maintain equipment or properly train staff, passengers and participants can suffer serious injuries or death. These cases involve both aviation law and premises/operator liability principles.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Plane Crash?

Unlike a car accident where liability is usually between two drivers, aviation accidents often involve multiple potentially responsible parties:

The Pilot

Pilot error accounts for a significant portion of general aviation accidents. Flying while fatigued, impaired, or exceeding the aircraft’s capabilities — or misjudging weather conditions — can form the basis of negligence claims against the pilot or their estate.

The Aircraft Owner or Operator

Even if the owner wasn’t flying, they may be liable for entrusting the aircraft to an unqualified pilot, failing to ensure proper maintenance, or operating a flight service without meeting FAA certification requirements.

Aircraft and Parts Manufacturers

Defective engines, avionics, fuel systems, or structural components can cause crashes that would not have occurred with properly designed and manufactured equipment. Product liability claims under California law can hold manufacturers and distributors accountable.

Maintenance Companies

FAA-certified mechanics and repair stations must follow strict protocols. Improper maintenance — missed inspections, incorrect part installation, or falsified maintenance logs — creates direct liability.

Air Traffic Control / Federal Government

The FAA and its air traffic controllers are responsible for guiding aircraft safely. When a controller’s error contributes to a crash, the claim is brought against the federal government under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). These claims carry a strict two-year deadline to file an administrative claim before you can sue. Early legal action is critical.

Airport Operators

Hazardous runway conditions, inadequate lighting, obstruction failures, or poor signage can contribute to takeoff and landing accidents, creating liability for the airport authority.

Federal Law and California Law in Aviation Cases

Aviation cases are uniquely complex because they sit at the intersection of federal and state law. The FAA regulates airspace, aircraft certification, pilot licensing, and maintenance standards. But California tort law governs damages and liability in most cases. Key legal concepts include:

• Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) — violations of FAR requirements (inadequate maintenance intervals, unqualified pilot, etc.) are strong evidence of negligence
• NTSB Investigation — the National Transportation Safety Board investigates all aviation accidents. Their findings can be powerful evidence, though NTSB reports themselves are not admissible in court — the underlying data and witness statements are
• General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA) — limits product liability claims against manufacturers for aircraft over 18 years old in some circumstances; does not apply to commercial aircraft or certain types of claims
• Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) — if a government employee (ATC, FAA inspector) contributed to the crash, you must file an administrative claim within two years; only after the government denies or ignores the claim can you file suit
• California comparative negligence — California’s pure comparative fault rules apply, meaning even if a victim was partially at fault, recovery is still possible reduced by their percentage of fault

Statute of Limitations for Plane Crash Cases in California

The deadline to file a plane crash lawsuit in California is generally two years from the date of injury or death. However:

• If a government entity (FAA, ATC, municipal airport) is involved, a government tort claim must be filed within the applicable deadline — often much shorter — before you can sue
• Wrongful death claims must typically be filed within two years of the date of death
• Product liability claims against manufacturers may have different discovery-based timelines

Because aviation investigations take time and liability is often shared among multiple parties, it is critical to retain an attorney as early as possible to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and meet all applicable deadlines.

What Compensation Can Plane Crash Victims Recover?

Aviation accidents cause some of the most severe injuries imaginable — traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, severe burns, amputations, and death. Compensation can include:

• Past and future medical expenses, including long-term rehabilitation
• Lost income and loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering — physical and emotional
• Permanent disability and disfigurement
• Wrongful death damages: loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral costs
• Punitive damages in cases of egregious or reckless conduct

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1 — Engine Failure from Deferred Maintenance: A private pilot and two passengers depart from a Fresno-area airfield. The engine fails shortly after takeoff due to a cracked component that was documented in the maintenance log but never replaced. The maintenance company failed to ground the aircraft. All three occupants are seriously injured. Claims lie against the maintenance company and potentially the aircraft owner for allowing the plane to remain in service.

Scenario 2 — Wrongful Death in a Charter Crash: A family books a charter flight out of the Central Valley. The charter operator employs a pilot with fewer hours than FAA regulations require for the aircraft type. The plane crashes on approach. Surviving family members bring wrongful death claims against the charter operator, the company’s insurers, and the aircraft leasing company.

Scenario 3 — Mid-Air Collision Near Fresno: Two aircraft collide in Class E airspace near Fresno. Investigation reveals an ATC communication lapse contributed to the incident. Claims are filed against the federal government under the FTCA as well as against one of the pilots for failure to see and avoid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an aviation specialist, or can any personal injury lawyer handle a plane crash case?

Plane crash cases require knowledge of FAA regulations, NTSB investigation procedures, federal tort law, and aviation product liability. These are highly technical claims. Wagner Law Group works with aviation experts and engineers to build cases that hold up against well-funded airline and manufacturer defense teams.

The NTSB is still investigating — should I wait before contacting a lawyer?

No. Contact an attorney immediately. The NTSB investigation can take months or years, but evidence needs to be preserved now — aircraft wreckage, maintenance records, air traffic control recordings, weather data, and witness accounts. Waiting allows critical evidence to disappear.

Can I sue if I was a passenger on a private plane operated by a friend?

Yes. California does not have a guest statute that bars passenger claims against pilots. If the pilot was negligent, you have a valid claim regardless of your personal relationship. Their aviation insurance — which private pilots are not actually required to carry — or their personal assets may be the source of recovery.

What if the pilot died in the crash?

Claims can be brought against the pilot’s estate and against any insurer. More importantly, other parties — the aircraft owner, manufacturer, maintenance company — may be jointly liable regardless of what happened to the pilot.

How long will a plane crash case take?

Aviation cases are complex and typically take longer than standard personal injury cases — often 2–4 years from filing to resolution. Multiple defendants, federal investigations, and highly technical expert testimony all affect the timeline. We pursue cases aggressively while keeping you informed throughout.

Is there a cap on damages in California aviation cases?

California does not cap compensatory damages in personal injury or wrongful death cases. Punitive damages have limits in some circumstances. If the federal government (FAA/ATC) is a defendant under the FTCA, different rules may apply — another reason early legal counsel matters.

Why Choose Wagner Law Group for Your Clovis Plane Crash Case?

• Complex litigation experience — aviation cases involve federal agencies, large manufacturers, and insurers with aggressive defense teams; we bring the same firepower
• Expert network — we work with FAA-certified aviation experts, accident reconstructionists, and medical specialists to build the strongest possible case
• No win, no fee — you pay nothing unless we recover for you
• Free consultations — we evaluate your case at no cost, with no obligation
• California-wide representation — we handle cases throughout Fresno, Clovis, and all of California
• Compassionate, tenacious advocacy — we understand the trauma aviation accidents cause for victims and families, and we fight accordingly

Do not face the aftermath of a plane crash alone — call the Wagner Law Group at (833) 200-7111 or Contact Us below for a free, confidential consultation.