Update | Plane Crash Near Rio Vista Airport Kills Two

Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta Site of Fatal Plane Crash

Two people on board a home-built biplane perished in a plane crash in Rio Vista on June 8. The accident happened at about 11:45 a.m., close to the Municipal Airport Rio Vista in the northern part of the city, according to the Solano County Sheriff’s Office. The aircraft involved was a Steen Skybolt, which is designed as an acrobatic airplane.

Federal Investigation Into Cause of Fatal Plane Crash

An investigation into the cause of the Rio Vista crash is being undertaken by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.

Officials have recently identified the decedents as Jesse Buckner, 33, of Martinez, and Benjamin Shreve, 41, of Concord. A GoFundMe page has been set up in support of the Shreve Family

Accidents Involving the Steen Skybolt

According to the Aviation Safety Network, there have been 95 reported accidents involving these biplanes since 1973. Fatalities when flying these planes tended to involve aerobatic flight maneuvers. Most non-fatality, non-injury accidents were due to some type of mechanical problem. They are commonly used in firefighting, in airshows and in agricultural operations. The NTSB reports that homebuilt aircraft have a considerably higher rate of accidents.

Investigation of Experimental Plane Crashes 

The NTSB and the FAA handle investigating aircraft accidents in the United States. The NTSB is an independent agency that investigates civil flying accidents in the United States, as well as major incidents involving railroad, highway, marine, and pipeline transportation. The FAA is a federal agency responsible for regulating civil aviation, including aircraft safety standards and investigation of accidents.

When a plane accident occurs, the NTSB is responsible for leading the investigation to determine its cause or probable cause. First, NTSB investigators arrive at the crash site to document evidence and collect any pieces of debris or wreckage that may be relevant. They will also interview witnesses, review maintenance records and analyze the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR).

Sometimes, the NTSB may determine that an experimental aircraft was involved in an accident. In these instances, the FAA may take the lead in the investigation due to its expertise in this area. The FAA has specific requirements for the fabrication, maintenance and operations of experimental aircraft that must be followed. 

Wrongful Death Claims in California

The filing of a wrongful death claim in California may provide compensation if your loved one was killed in a plane crash due to negligence or a wrongful act. In a wrongful death case, families seek financial compensation for losing a loved one and hold wrongdoers accountable. A wrongful death claim in California must be started by contacting a qualified attorney who will examine the circumstances of your case and advise you on how to proceed.

Recoverable Damages in a Wrongful Death

In order to determine what kind of compensation may be available, your lawyer will collect evidence. Compensation by filing a claim for wrongful death may include the following, depending on your case facts; Funeral and burial costs, lost wages, pain and suffering or punitive damages.

When hiring a lawyer, Ed Smith offers these tips:

Sacramento Airplane Accident Lawyer

I am Ed Smith, and I’m a Sacramento airplane accident lawyer. We are here to help you decide whether your family can file a wrongful death claim. Please contact us at (916) 921-6400 for compassionate, free and friendly legal advice. Alternatively, you can reach us by phone at (800) 404-5400 or through our website online.

Our injury lawyers have handled the following cases in the past to help you decide who to call for free advice:

Our accident attorneys work hard for you, and below are some examples of groups we belong to: 

Photo attribution: Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

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