1-866-PR4LAWYERS (1-866-774-5299)

Attorney Marketing Blog

Aviation Attorney: “Cockpit and Tower Recordings Likely Critical to Determining Cause of Deadly LaGuardia Collision”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — (March 24, 2026) — In the wake of a deadly late-night collision at LaGuardia Airport, a nationally recognized aviation attorney says investigators should focus on air traffic control and cockpit recordings that could quickly reveal what went wrong.

The crash occurred around 11:40 p.m. on March 22, when Air Canada Flight 8646, arriving from Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, collided with a Port Authority fire truck on the runway. The aircraft, a Mitsubishi CRJ-900, sustained catastrophic damage to its nose. The captain and first officer were killed. More than 40 passengers and crew members, along with two Port Authority officers, were injured. The fire truck overturned on impact.

An air traffic controller reportedly cleared the emergency vehicle onto the airfield to respond to a separate onboard incident involving a United Airlines flight, where an odor had been reported. The controller then issued urgent instructions for the vehicle to stop moments before the collision.

“This appears to be a breakdown in critical, real-time communication,” said Keith Williams of The Keith Williams Law Group. “The cockpit voice recorder, tower audio, and ground control communications will be central to understanding how a vehicle and an arriving aircraft ended up on the same runway.”

Williams noted that investigators will likely examine whether air traffic control procedures were followed, how directives were communicated and acknowledged, and whether staffing levels or workload may have contributed to the incident.

“Any lapse — whether in communication clarity, timing, or staffing — can have devastating consequences in a high-traffic environment like LaGuardia,” Williams said. “These recordings will tell us not only what was said, but how quickly crews were able to react.”

Federal investigators are expected to review air traffic control logs, radar data, and recorded communications as part of a comprehensive inquiry.

In addition to his practice, Williams is the Past Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Aviation Litigation Section, and he is a member of the Aviation and Space Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. Mr. Williams is also a member and past president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.

For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

 

###

 

About Keith Williams Law Group

With two convenient locations, one in downtown Nashville and the other on the historic town square in Lebanon, Keith Williams Law Group can help its clients achieve the maximum possible compensation for their injuries. Its attorneys represent those who have been injured as a result of car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, aviation accidents, highway work zone accidents, defective products, and trucker broker negligence. For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

Aviation Attorney Raises Questions about Deicing Delay, Jet Design in Fatal Maine Crash

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A nationally recognized aviation attorney says a fatal private jet crash in Maine that killed six people may have been caused by a combination of pilot inexperience in extreme winter conditions and a long-documented safety concern with the aircraft’s design.

According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board, a Bombardier Challenger 600 jet traveling from Texas to Paris stopped at Bangor International Airport on January 28 to refuel during a snowstorm and near-zero temperatures.

At 7:27 p.m., the aircraft was treated with deicing fluid to remove ice buildup on the wings. However, investigators say the jet did not begin takeoff preparations until 7:44 p.m. — 17 minutes later, exceeding the typical nine-minute safety window for departing after deicing in winter weather.

Shortly after takeoff, the jet rolled over and crashed, bursting into flames. All six people on board were killed.

Aviation attorney Keith Williams of The Keith Williams Law Group says the delay could have allowed dangerous ice to re-accumulate on the wings.

“This is exactly the type of scenario that deicing holdover times are designed to prevent,” Williams said. “If a plane waits too long after deicing, ice can reform on the wings and drastically affect lift during takeoff.”

Williams also points to previous incidents involving the Challenger 600 in which ice buildup caused the aircraft to roll unexpectedly after takeoff. Those incidents occurred more than 20 years ago in Birmingham, England, and Montrose, Colorado, though neither crash resulted in fatalities.

Following those incidents, the aircraft manufacturer was expected to include additional cold-weather operating guidance in flight manuals, Williams said.

“With more than a thousand of these aircraft in service worldwide, investigators will be looking closely at whether pilots had adequate warning about how this jet performs in severe winter conditions,” Williams said. “If stronger cold-weather guidance had been included in the manuals, this tragedy might have been preventable.”

Federal investigators continue to examine pilot actions, weather conditions, and aircraft performance as part of the ongoing investigation.

In addition to his practice, Williams is the Past Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Aviation Litigation Section, and he is a member of the Aviation and Space Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. Mr. Williams is also a member and past president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.

For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

###

* Photo is attached.

About Keith Williams Law Group

With two convenient locations, one in downtown Nashville and the other on the historic town square in Lebanon, Keith Williams Law Group can help its clients achieve the maximum possible compensation for their injuries. Its attorneys represent those who have been injured as a result of car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, aviation accidents, highway work zone accidents, defective products, and trucker broker negligence. For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

Aviation Attorney Says The NTSB Preliminary Report Could Raise Issues About The Approach For Landing And The Aircraft’s Instruments And Avionics In Fatal Colorado Crash

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After the preliminary report was recently issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for a fatal airplane crash in the Colorado mountains, a nationally recognized aviation safety attorney says the plane’s approach for landing and the operation of its instruments and avionics systems may be areas of further investigation.

On February 13, an Epic E1000 six-seat turboprop registered to ALS Aviation LLC of Franklin, Tennessee, departed Nashville, stopped in Kansas City, and later crashed around 12:20 a.m. into Emerald Mountain near Steamboat Springs. All four people aboard were killed.

The NTSB recently issued a preliminary report of its investigation of the crash, but its investigation is continuing.

The NTSB’s preliminary report indicates that the aircraft had been cleared for a RNAV approach for landing at the Steamboat Springs Airport/Bob Adams Field (SBS) and was operating in autopilot at the time of the crash.  According to the preliminary report, there are two different RNAV approaches for landing at the Steamboat Springs Airport that start from the same vector points in the air—RNAV-E, which can be used for night landings, and RNAV-Z, which cannot be used for night landings.  It is unclear from the preliminary report whether the approval for approach given to the pilot specified which RNAV approach was to be used.  Keith Williams, founder of The Keith Williams Law Group, believes the approach path approved for landing could indicate issues about both communication with air traffic control, and issues with the instruments or avionics equipment on board the aircraft, among other factors that may have contributed to causing the crash.

Mr. Williams stated that:

“Approaches such as these at high elevations, particularly in mountainous terrain, and at night can present unique challenges that are not present in approaches on flat terrain at lower elevations, such as the steep descent required, course changes during the approach, higher true speed of the aircraft due to the altitude, and obstructions such as nearby mountains.   Precise communication regarding approach patterns is therefore very important, as is the proper functioning of instruments and avionics systems on an aircraft.”

The NTSB investigation is ongoing, and Mr. Williams emphasized that while the preliminary report provides insights into what happened, “further investigation will likely provide more specific details about what happened so we can focus on preventing the next tragedy.”  The NTSB’s final report could, however, take several more months to complete.

In addition to his practice, Williams is the Past Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Aviation Litigation Section, and he is a member of the Aviation and Space Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. Mr. Williams is also a member and past president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.

Williams is available for interviews to discuss the legal, regulatory, and safety implications of Congress’ decision and what it means for the flying public.

For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

###

* Photo is attached.

About Keith Williams Law Group

With two convenient locations, one in downtown Nashville and the other on the historic town square in Lebanon, Keith Williams Law Group can help its clients achieve the maximum possible compensation for their injuries. Its attorneys represent those who have been injured as a result of car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, aviation accidents, highway work zone accidents, defective products, and trucker broker negligence. For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

Aviation Attorney: Failure to Pass ROTOR Act Leaves Flying Public at Risk After Deadly D.C. Crash

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A leading aviation attorney is warning that Congress’ failure to advance the proposed ROTOR Act — legislation aimed at preventing mid-air collisions — leaves millions of airline passengers vulnerable to another tragedy like the deadly 2025 crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The ROTOR Act was introduced following the January 29, 2025 collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., which killed 67 people. According to a recent report by the National Transportation Safety Board, investigators cited heavy air traffic congestion and gaps in training and safety systems as contributing factors in the crash.

The proposed legislation would have required all aircraft operating in shared airspace — including military aircraft near commercial flight paths — to carry advanced tracking technology designed to allow real-time aircraft-to-aircraft communication and dramatically reduce the risk of mid-air collisions.

Although the U.S. Senate passed the bill in December 2025, the measure stalled after the Pentagon withdrew its support on February 23, 2026, citing budgetary concerns and operational security risks. The following day, the House of Representatives failed to reach the two-thirds majority needed to move the bill forward.

Keith Williams, founder of The Keith Williams Law Group, says the decision sends a troubling message about aviation safety priorities.

“This was a targeted, technology-driven solution to a known safety gap,” Williams said. “When 67 people lose their lives in a preventable mid-air collision in some of the most tightly controlled airspace in the country, the response should be swift and decisive. Instead, lawmakers have chosen inaction.”

Williams argues that modern tracking and communication systems are already widely used in commercial aviation and could be implemented without compromising national security.

“The question now is whether we wait for another catastrophic collision before acting,” he said. “Passengers assume that when they board a flight, every reasonable step has been taken to protect them. Right now, Congress has left a critical vulnerability unaddressed.”

Aviation safety advocates warn that shared civilian-military airspace exists near major metropolitan airports across the country, increasing the potential for similar incidents if technological safeguards are not strengthened.

In addition to his practice, Williams is the Past Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Aviation Litigation Section, and he is a member of the Aviation and Space Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. Mr. Williams is also a member and past president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.

Williams is available for interviews to discuss the legal, regulatory, and safety implications of Congress’ decision and what it means for the flying public.

For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

###

* Photo is attached.

About Keith Williams Law Group

With two convenient locations, one in downtown Nashville and the other on the historic town square in Lebanon, Keith Williams Law Group can help its clients achieve the maximum possible compensation for their injuries. Its attorneys represent those who have been injured as a result of car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, aviation accidents, highway work zone accidents, defective products, and trucker broker negligence. For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

Aviation Attorney Says Malfunctioning Instruments Or Avionics Could Be Indicated In Deadly Colorado Crash

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As federal investigators work to determine what caused a fatal plane crash in the Colorado mountains that killed four people, a nationally recognized aviation safety attorney is urging the aircraft’s owner to immediately release key records that could shed light on the tragedy.

On February 12, 2026, an Epic E1000 six-seat turboprop registered to ALS Aviation LLC of Franklin, Tennessee departed Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport (JWN), stopped in Kansas City, and later crashed into Emerald Mountain near Steamboat Springs, Colorado at approximately 12:20 a.m. (MST) on February 13, 2026. All four individuals on board were killed.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating.

Public flight tracking data shows the aircraft’s path maneuvered for what appears to be an approach for landing from south of the Steamboat Springs Airport.  The approach appeared to take the aircraft directly in the path of Emerald Mountain, where the crash occurred.  Keith Williams, founder of The Keith Williams Law Group, believes the flight path of the aircraft could indicate issues with the instruments or avionics equipment on board, among other factors that may have contributed to causing the crash.

Mr. Williams stated:

The flight was attempting to land at night in darkness, when an aircraft’s instruments and avionics equipment are so important for guiding the pilot safely to the runway.  The landing approach path that appears to have taken the aircraft directly into the mountain may indicate there was a problem with the instruments or avionics equipment.  Inspection of those components, as well as the aircraft’s flight plan, will be important parts of the investigation and in helping determine what happened in this tragedy that caused the loss of four lives. 

The NTSB investigation remains ongoing, and Mr. Williams emphasized that while the NTSB investigation may take months. “The sooner we know the cause, the sooner we can focus on preventing the next tragedy.”

In addition to his practice, Mr. Williams is the Past Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Aviation Litigation Section, and he is a member of the Aviation and Space Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. Mr. Williams is also a member and past president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.

For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

###

* Photo is attached.

About Keith Williams Law Group

With two convenient locations, one in downtown Nashville and the other on the historic town square in Lebanon, Keith Williams Law Group can help its clients achieve the maximum possible compensation for their injuries. Its attorneys represent those who have been injured as a result of car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, aviation accidents, highway work zone accidents, defective products, and trucker broker negligence. For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

Aviation Attorney Slams FedEx Plan to Return MD-11 Freighters to Service After Deadly Crash

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A prominent aviation safety attorney is condemning Federal Express’ plan to return Boeing MD-11 freighter aircraft to service, calling the move “reckless” following a deadly crash linked to a known structural defect in the plane’s wing design.

The criticism comes after FedEx confirmed it is in discussions with Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration about resuming MD-11F operations — months after a similar aircraft operated by United Parcel Service crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more.

On Nov. 4, 2025, the UPS-operated MD-11F experienced a left-engine fire moments after departure before slamming into multiple buildings near the airport, including a petroleum recycling facility, triggering a massive explosion. In the aftermath, Boeing grounded all MD-11F aircraft, followed by a formal grounding order from the FAA. On Jan. 28, 2026 — nearly three months after the crash — UPS retired all MD11Fs, replacing them with Boeing 767Fs.

According to findings released by the National Transportation Safety Board on Jan. 14, 2026, investigators identified a structural defect in the left wing assembly that supports the engine. The defect had been implicated in multiple prior incidents, yet operators were not required to repair it and the aircraft remained in service.

“This is history repeating itself,” said Keith Williams, a nationally known aviation attorney. “Lives were lost, people were hospitalized, and entire businesses were destroyed because of a defective wing design. The idea that this aircraft could be cleared to fly again without a full redesign is staggering.”

Williams said the defect should have been addressed long before the crash and must be permanently fixed before any MD-11F returns to the air.

“It’s inexcusable that this flaw was ignored despite warning signs,” Williams said. “It’s even more inexcusable to put these planes back in the sky without making the necessary safety improvements. We are gambling with human lives.”

FedEx announced on Jan. 28, 2026, that it is evaluating a return-to-service plan in coordination with Boeing and federal regulators. Williams is urging the FAA to reject any proposal that does not include a comprehensive structural correction and full transparency for the public.

“This is exactly the moment regulators are supposed to step in,” Williams said. “Safety cannot take a back seat to convenience or profit.”

In addition to his practice, Williams is the Past Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Aviation Litigation Section, and he is a member of the Aviation and Space Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. Mr. Williams is also a member and past president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.

For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

###

About Keith Williams Law Group

With two convenient locations, one in downtown Nashville and the other on the historic town square in Lebanon, Keith Williams Law Group can help its clients achieve the maximum possible compensation for their injuries. Its attorneys represent those who have been injured as a result of car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, aviation accidents, highway work zone accidents, defective products, and trucker broker negligence. For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

Aviation Attorney: UPS Cargo Jet Crash Was Preventable After Known Boeing Design Flaws

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A prominent aviation safety attorney says a UPS cargo aircraft that crashed in Louisville last fall — killing 15 people, injuring dozens and devastating nearby businesses — should never have been allowed to fly after known design flaws were identified in the plane years earlier.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed in a report released January 14 that the November 4, 2025 crash involved a Boeing MD-11F with a structural defect in the left wing assembly that supports the engine. Despite multiple prior incidents involving the same defect, Boeing did not require operators to repair the problem, and the aircraft remained in service.

“This was not a hidden issue. This was a known, repeat defect,” said aviation attorney Keith Williams of The Keith Williams Law Group. “When a manufacturer is aware of a structural flaw that affects engine mounting, there is absolutely no justification for keeping that aircraft in the air.”

The UPS cargo jet departed Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. Shortly after takeoff, the plane’s left engine caught fire. The aircraft crashed into several buildings near the airport, including a petroleum recycling facility, triggering a massive explosion.

Following the crash, Boeing grounded all MD-11F aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration later issued its own grounding order.

According to the NTSB, the same wing assembly defect appeared on at least four occasions across three different MD-11F aircraft. Investigators also found that Boeing’s service bulletin alerted operators to the flaw but stopped short of mandating repairs.

“That decision cost lives,” Williams said. “When manufacturers label a defect as ‘non-critical’ despite repeated failures, they are gambling with human life — and in this case, that gamble ended in tragedy.”

Williams is calling on the FAA to immediately ground any aircraft found to have similar unresolved structural defects and to strengthen oversight of manufacturer-issued service advisories.

“Even the smallest crack can turn catastrophic at 30,000 feet,” Williams said. “No cargo, no schedule, no profit margin is worth a single human life.”

In addition to his practice, Williams is the Past Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Aviation Litigation Section, and he is a member of the Aviation and Space Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. Mr. Williams is also a member and past president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.

For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

###

* Photo is attached.

About Keith Williams Law Group

With two convenient locations, one in downtown Nashville and the other on the historic town square in Lebanon, Keith Williams Law Group can help its clients achieve the maximum possible compensation for their injuries. Its attorneys represent those who have been injured as a result of car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, aviation accidents, highway work zone accidents, defective products, and trucker broker negligence. For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

Aviation Attorney Urges Review of Aircraft Maintenance Records After Fatal Southwest Texas Crash

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As federal investigators work to determine what caused a fatal plane crash in southwest Texas, a prominent aviation attorney is urging authorities to closely examine the aircraft’s maintenance history, calling it a critical step in understanding what went wrong.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the January 8 crash of a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza that went down in a marsh near Sabine Pass, Texas, killing the 71-year-old pilot, who was flying from Jennings, Louisiana to Galveston, Texas.

According to flight data, the aircraft departed at 1:52 p.m. local time. Just over an hour later, around 3 p.m., the plane experienced a sudden increase in speed before rapidly losing altitude and crashing near Knight Lake. The pilot’s body was not recovered until the following day.

FlightAware data shows the aircraft was flying at approximately 5,900 feet and traveling at 194 miles per hour shortly before the crash.

“There are still many unanswered questions surrounding this tragedy,” said aviation attorney Keith Williams of The Keith Williams Law Group. “When an aircraft accelerates unexpectedly and then loses altitude, investigators must look closely at whether a mechanical or maintenance-related issue played a role. That’s why reviewing the maintenance logs is so important.”

Williams emphasized that maintenance records can reveal whether required inspections were completed, whether known issues were properly addressed, and whether the aircraft was airworthy at the time of the flight.

“The NTSB’s investigation will take time, but the public deserves transparency,” Williams said. “Understanding whether this was a mechanical failure, a maintenance oversight, or something else entirely is essential—not just for accountability, but for aviation safety as a whole.”

The NTSB has not yet released preliminary findings. The investigation remains ongoing.

In addition to his practice, Williams is the Past Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Aviation Litigation Section, and he is a member of the Aviation and Space Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. Mr. Williams is also a member and past president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.

For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

###

* Photo is attached.

About Keith Williams Law Group

With two convenient locations, one in downtown Nashville and the other on the historic town square in Lebanon, Keith Williams Law Group can help its clients achieve the maximum possible compensation for their injuries. Its attorneys represent those who have been injured as a result of car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, aviation accidents, highway work zone accidents, defective products, and trucker broker negligence. For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

Aviation Safety Attorney Applauds Airbus for Rapid Global Response to Fuselage Panel Software Defect

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Airbus’ swift decision to ground and inspect thousands of A320-series aircraft following the discovery of a software-related fuselage panel defect is drawing praise from a leading U.S. aviation safety attorney.

Airbus last week ordered “immediate precautionary action” across its A320 Family fleet after determining that a software issue — traced to a system provided by French aerospace and defense supplier Thales — could compromise certain fuselage panels. The company said the majority of the roughly 6,000 affected aircraft have already received corrective updates, and fewer than 100 planes remain in the modification process.

Aviation attorney Keith Williams, founder of the Keith Williams Law Group and a longtime advocate for stronger commercial aviation safety standards, said Airbus’ aggressive response reflects the type of industry leadership that prevents disasters before they occur.

“Airbus made the hard call quickly, and that matters,” Williams said. “Grounding aircraft is never convenient for airlines or passengers, but it’s the right choice when safety is on the line. This kind of proactive action is how catastrophic failures are avoided.”

Williams added that the recall underscores the critical role of software integrity in modern aircraft. “Today’s airplanes are flying computers. When a system raises even a hint of structural risk, immediate transparency and rapid corrective action are essential.”

Airbus said it is working directly with airline customers to return the remaining aircraft to service as soon as their modifications are complete.

In addition to his practice, Williams is the Past Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Aviation Litigation Section, and he is a member of the Aviation and Space Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. Mr. Williams is also a member and past president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.

For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

###

About Keith Williams Law Group

With two convenient locations, one in downtown Nashville and the other on the historic town square in Lebanon, Keith Williams Law Group can help its clients achieve the maximum possible compensation for their injuries. Its attorneys represent those who have been injured as a result of car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, aviation accidents, highway work zone accidents, defective products, and trucker broker negligence. For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

Aviation Attorney: Aging UPS Cargo Plane Involved in Fatal Crash Needed More Frequent Inspections

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A leading aviation attorney says the UPS cargo jet that crashed in Louisville earlier this month — killing 14 people and injuring more than 20 — should have been subject to far more frequent safety inspections because of its age.

Keith Williams, an attorney who has represented families in major aviation disasters, says the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary findings raise urgent questions about whether current inspection schedules adequately protect crews and communities.

The NTSB’s November 20 preliminary report found a crack in the aircraft’s left engine mount, a failure that caused the engine to detach from the wing during flight. The November 4 crash also destroyed several nearby businesses.

According to the NTSB, UPS performs general and detailed visual inspections of engine mounts every 72 months. The aircraft’s last such inspection occurred in October 2021. While lubrications required every 24 months or 4,800 hours were completed, deeper-cycle inspections of mount lugs and wing supports were not yet due because the aircraft had recorded 21,043 cycles—below the required thresholds of 29,200 and 28,000 cycles, respectively.

Williams says relying solely on long-cycle inspections for an older aircraft leaves too much room for catastrophic failure.

“Waiting two to six years to reinspect a plane of this age is far too long,” Williams said. “Inspection schedules should evolve as aircraft age. A more proactive approach could prevent tragedies like this.”

He also questioned how the aircraft could have passed routine maintenance without the crack being discovered.

“How could such a serious defect go undetected during scheduled lubrication?” Williams said. “When even small structural issues are missed, the consequences can be devastating.”

Williams urged regulators and cargo carriers to reassess inspection protocols for aging fleets as the NTSB continues its investigation.

In addition to his practice, Williams is the Past Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Aviation Litigation Section, and he is a member of the Aviation and Space Law Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. Mr. Williams is also a member and past president of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.

For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

###

About Keith Williams Law Group

With two convenient locations, one in downtown Nashville and the other on the historic town square in Lebanon, Keith Williams Law Group can help its clients achieve the maximum possible compensation for their injuries. Its attorneys represent those who have been injured as a result of car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, aviation accidents, highway work zone accidents, defective products, and trucker broker negligence. For more information, call (615) 444-2900 or visit www.keithwilliamslawgroup.com.

What’s Happening at PR4Lawyers

  • Advertisements were created for McGuire Pelaez & Bennet PC, Neil H Greenberg & Associates, Frederick K. Brewington, Sakkas Cahn & Weiss, The Margolis Law Firm and Lauren P. Raysor

Contact Us

For more information about our services or to find out how we can help you attain your marketing goals, click here to email us, or call:
Toll Free: 866-PR4LAWYERS .: Phone: 631-207-1057

Skip to content