The NTSB allows aviation manufacturers to participate in its crash investigations. But it excludes from the investigation the crash victims, the victims’ lawyers, and their experts. That’s how the NTSB has gone about investigating aviation accidents for years. It’s little wonder, then, that the NTSB’s final reports are frequently biased in favor of the manufacturers
Sikkelee v. Precision Airmotive Corp.: Manufacturer Can Be Sued Even Though FAA Approved Design
Here’s the pre-emption argument:
Our plane’s design was approved by the FAA. If plaintiffs think there is something wrong with it, they should take it up with the FAA. But they should leave us alone.”
Manufacturers make this argument in just about every aviation case we bring. We respond that that the FAA
Spirit Airlines Likely Immune from Allred’s Suit Alleging Airline Served Too Much Alcohol
Injured passengers have filed suit against Spirit Airlines in connection with last month’s drunken melee on board a flight from Baltimore to LAX. The plaintiffs, represented by Los Angeles attorney Gloria
Allred, seek to hold Spirit Airlines responsible for the conduct of the unruly passengers who injured them because Spirit Airlines allegedly fueled the
Icon Aircraft A5 Purchase Agreement: Who would sign this thing?
As AOPA is pointing out, Icon’s 41-page purchase agreement for its long-awaited A5 is, well, “unusual.” 
Perhaps what is most troubling is its language that seeks to allow Icon to dodge liability for any accident, regardless of its cause.
Founder and CEO Kirk Hawkins told AOPA that Icon believes in "extreme responsibility."
What we’re trying
MH 370 Families File Last Minute Lawsuits Against Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is still missing. Before filing any lawsuits, the families of those missing would certainly prefer to know what happened. But with a strict two year statute of limitations set to expire tomorrow, the families have to file suit now or never. So it’s not surprising that a flurry of lawsuits are
Pearl Harbor Helicopter Crash: Settling with Power?
Today a Bell helicopter crashed into Pearl Harbor near the Arizona Memorial. Reports are that everyone survived.
Some are saying the helicopter experienced engine failure. Unlikely. Instead, the pilot probably experienced "settling with power." That’s when the helicopter is forced down by the downdraft it creates with its own
Passengers Fall Ill on American Airlines Flight 109: Another Fume Event?
American Airlines Flight 109, traveling from London to Los Angeles, was two hours into its flight when passengers and crew members suddenly started fainting or otherwise becoming ill. The captain turned the Boeing 777 around and landed at Heathrow. 
According to the Daily Telegraph in Britain, the aircraft likely experienced a problem with the
Piper Turbo Lance Crash in Bakersfield: Icing?
Piper N36402 departed Reid-Hillview Airport for Las Vegas as it was getting dark. The pilot had his wife and three children on board. Though the weather was challenging, the aircraft was turbocharged, which would have allowed the pilot to climb above at least some of the clouds.
The plane’s flight path, speed, and altitude changes
SkyLife HEMS Crash and Weather
The SkyLife Bell 407 air ambulance helicopter departed from Porterville Airport at 6:52. It crashed minutes later, halfway into its 50 mile flight to San Joaquin Hospital in Bakersfield. The four aboard 
will killed, including the patient being transported.
The flying conditions at Porterville were acceptable. Though it was dark, the weather was 3300
overcast
Russian Flight KGL9268: Former NTSB Investigator Says Missile Brought Airbus Down
A few days ago, most were saying it’s too early to tell what brought down the Russian Airbus that crashed on Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 aboard. Now, there’s talk of the aircraft being downed by a bomb.
Why a bomb? The best explanation comes an article written by former NTSB investigator