Pilot Survives Plane Crash in Modesto

Pilot Survives Plane Crash in Modesto

A pilot who crashed in Modesto on Highway 99 on September 27 says his survival after the plane crash was miraculous. The Stanislaus County accident happened at about 7:50 in the evening and, according to a representative of the FAA, the flyer was the only person on board the single-engine Piper Dakota. The pilot, Dirk Kanngiesser, age 59 and a resident of Santa Cruz, said he has been flying a plane for 25 years and took off from Truckee. He was on his way to San Martin when his plane experienced engine failure. Kanngiesser said he knew quick action was necessary because it was going to be a hard landing and the odds were against him. However, luck was with him that night because he walked away from the crash with only minor injuries. The accident is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the FAA to determine what happened.

Details of the Plane Crash

The pilot realized his plane would never be able to reach the airport at Modesto, so it was his decision to try and land on the highway. Although his plane cleared an overpass, it struck a tree and light pole before crashing on the roadway but did not hit any vehicles. He barely made it out of the plane before it burst into flames. Kanngiesser reported that the airplane was upside down in the roadway, and he was fortunate enough to escape before it exploded. He said he was still processing the information and did not understand what had happened. 

Road Closure After the Accident

Highway 99’s southbound lanes were closed following the crash, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, while an investigation ensued, and fire crews from Modesto and Ceres put out the blaze. Caltrans officials were also at the site to divert traffic until the lanes could be reopened.

Aviation Accidents

While commercial crashes can be horrific events, more people are killed per year in small plane crashes. Overall, 97 percent of all plane fatalities occur on non-commercial flights. On average, five small planes crash every day. This results in about 500 deaths each year. The National Transportation Safety Board says that by improving onboard safety and increased training, many of the deaths could be avoided. An experienced aviation attorney is critical to a successful case after a small plane crash. 

Reasons for a Small Plane Crash

These are several common reasons small planes crash:

  • Pilot error: This accounts for a large proportion of non-commercial plane crashes. In most cases, the pilot flew for enjoyment and as such did not have extensive flying time.
  • Lack of fuel: Unlike cars and trucks, a pilot cannot refuel any time he or she wants. It is important that the pilot monitors the gas tanks actively throughout the flight. Without sufficient experience, the pilot may be ill-equipped to do this. Sometimes, the fuel gauge does not work correctly, leading to misconceptions about the fuel level. In such cases, if a defect exists, the parts manufacturer can be held liable for the crash in a product liability lawsuit
  • Hitting stationary objects: This usually happens on takeoff and landing. Even clipping an object can cause the plane to crash.
  • Bad weather: Small planes are affected by bad weather, unlike their larger commercial counterparts, depending on the intensity of the storm. When a small plane encounters inclement weather, it can wreak havoc for the pilot. Experience is mandatory for any pilot attempting to fly in a storm or even less intense weather. It is important to be trained in instrument flying. Without this, the pilot can face a perilous and death-defying situation.
  • Mechanical problems: Such problems happen frequently. They may be caused by a defective device. In other instances, if the maintenance is done by a mechanic who certifies the plane’s devices are in good working order after checking them, he or she can be held responsible. 

What an Attorney Can Do for You

At our firm, we rely on our investigators to sort out what happened in a plane crash by using an after-crash forensic investigation. This means having access to the accident scene to determine the cause of the crash. Our investigators use a technically proven protocol to gather as much information about the crash as possible. This data is provided to our attorneys who use it to build a strong case against the pilot or the plane’s manufacturer.

Modesto Personal Injury Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto personal injury lawyer. In airplane accidents that are caused by negligence, injured parties may claim fair compensation to pay their medical bills, lost wages, and additional expenses. A lawyer with experience in handling airplane accidents can help. Contact me at (209) 227-1931 for free and friendly advice or through (800) 404-5400, my toll-free number. I can also be reached by filling out the online contact form.

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I’ve helped Modesto residents and other Northern Californians since 1982 to get accident injury compensation in many areas that include wrongful deaths, traumas such as brain injuries and traffic collisions.

Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/plane-hangar-aircraft-airport-601589/

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