Aviation Accident Lawyers in Anchorage, AK
Air travel is essential in the state of Alaska. Since many rural communities like world famous Nome, Alaska, are not accessible by road, the use of small airplanes, regional aircraft, and chartered flights offer a crucial connection to our more remote neighbors. In addition, tourists often arrive from out of state at our major airports in Anchorage (ANO), Fairbanks (FAI), and Juneau (JNU).
When a plane crashes, the impact can cause victims catastrophic injuries and death. Survivors or surviving loved ones may struggle to get answers about what happened, what caused the crash, and what steps they should take next.
The lawyers of Farnsworth & Vance can help offer guidance and support after a plane crash or helicopter accident. Our aviation accident lawyers in Anchorage AK can navigate the settlement process with the insurance company, and offer compassionate insight along the way. We are skilled litigators, but first and foremost, we are Alaskans committed to loving and helping Alaskans.
We represent victims all across Alaska. If you have been seriously injured or have lost a loved one in a helicopter accident or plane crash, contact our attorneys in Anchorage, AK. You can also request a free consultation with our Alaska aviation accident lawyers by calling (907) 416-9071.
The Risk of Plane Crashes in Alaska
The risks of aviation accidents involving small aircraft are much higher in Alaska than other states. According to a report by ProPublica, Alaska alone accounts for approximately 42% of all small commercial aircraft fatalities in America.
Part of this may be attributed to our reliance on small aircraft and air travel given the limited road infrastructure in the state. There’s also the size of Alaska’s uncontrolled airspace, which forces many pilots to fly with limited air traffic and weather information.
Potential Hazards While Flying Planes and Helicopters in Alaska
Some of the primary hazards of flying a helicopter or plane in Alaska include:
- Adverse and unpredictable weather that can make flying more difficult
- Lack of real-time updates on air traffic when flying through parts of the state
- Unfamiliar mountainous terrain can catch even experienced pilots off guard
- Rural airports may be understaffed and have small, unpaved, and poorly lit runways
- Remote locations without road access that could slow down rescue efforts
- Heightened risk of hypothermia and exposure for helicopter and airplane crash survivors
Many people in remote and rural areas rely on small airplanes, which puts these vulnerable communities at great risk. Our Anchorage attorneys can help fellow Alaskans following a plane crash or helicopter accident anywhere in the state.
Fatal Bering Air Plane Crash: February 2025
In February 2025, a Bering Air commuter flight traveling from Unalakleet crashed outside of Nome on the sea ice of Norton Sound. The crash claimed the lives of all 10 people on board. According to an initial report from the Associated Press (AP), the Cessna Caravan experienced some sort of event about 40 minutes into the flight that caused a rapid loss in elevation and speed.
As of this writing, the exact cause of the crash is still unknown. The Anchorage Daily News noted that there was freezing rain, ice fog, and snow in the area at the time of the crash. Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones, and to the members of our communities who lost dear friends.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Plane or Helicopter Crash in Alaska?
Per Alaska Statutes § 9.10.070, you will generally have two years from the date of the aviation accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Once that two-year statute of limitations has passed, you will no longer be able to file a legal action.
However, the deadline for filing a claim against a government or commercial entity can be much smaller. In some cases, you may have as little as six months to file a claim for an aviation accident.
Given this variance in deadlines, it’s in your best interests to contact our law firm in Anchorage about your plane crash or helicopter accident ASAP. Our lawyers can discuss the aviation accident with you and start determining what steps you need to take next.
Why Choose Farnsworth & Vance for Legal Representation
The lawyers of Farnsworth & Vance have more than 45 years of combined experience practicing law. They each bring a lifetime of personal and professional insight to every case, as well as a strong determination to do what is right for the people of Alaska.
Experience Working for the Insurance Industry
Our lawyers in Anchorage have first-hand experience working for the insurance industry. Serving on these defense teams, we learned first-hand how the insurance industry takes advantage of ordinary people, especially those who have not retained an attorney.
Our law firm leverages this “insider knowledge” of the insurance industry to fight for the working people of Alaska. We can negotiate bigger and better settlements for our clients, and get these settlement offers to them much faster. If we cannot secure a fair or reasonable settlement, we will not hesitate to go to trial.
A Record of Successful Verdicts and Settlements
Since our founding in 2017, Farnsworth & Vance has recovered millions of dollars for clients all over Alaska. This includes substantial debt forgiveness for our clients’ medical care needs and health-related expenses.
We encourage you to browse some of our past verdicts and settlements to see the difference we’ve made in the lives of our fellow Alaskans. We also encourage you to read our client testimonials to learn how we’ve helped Alaskans in the most difficult moments of their lives.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
Farnsworth & Vance offers free case reviews and accepts cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not have to pay a retainer or any fees upfront. You only pay us if we can settle your case or win damages in court.
We know that recovering from a serious accident or grieving the loss of a loved one takes a major toll on you financially and emotionally. This is our way of relieving some of your burden and fully supporting you in your case.
Contact Our Alaska Plane Crash Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Airplane accident lawsuits are complex yet they are often the catalyst for change and improved safety in the air. The lawyers of Farnsworth & Vance can help you recover compensation following an aviation accident and help protect other Alaskans in the process. To request a free consultation to discuss a helicopter or plane crash, contact our Anchorage, AK law firm today.
Commercial Airline and Regional Plane Crashes
As Alaska’s largest city, many flights depart and arrive in Anchorage. This includes jumbo jets for domestic and international travel as well as smaller commuter planes for regional travel.
Our lawyers can hold companies like Alaska Airlines, Ravn Alaska, Bering Air, or Grant Aviation accountable if negligence on their part contributes to a serious airplane crash. We can also take on plane manufacturers like Boeing if poor production standards caused or contributed to an aviation accident.
Small Plane and Air Taxi Crashes
Small airplanes and air taxis offer affordable air travel options to people in rural and remote parts of Alaska. These are essential for transporting passengers to different parts of the state, but piloting small aircraft such as bush planes and seaplanes can be dangerous. Similarly, these small aircraft require regular maintenance and thorough safety checks in between flights.
Our Anchorage plane crash attorneys can investigate if poor repairs and maintenance contributed to an air taxi or small plane.
Chartered Airplane Flight Crashes
For people with the means, charting a jet or private flight can offer a sense of comfort while in the air. Many people visiting our state from California, the Pacific Northwest, and parts of Canada may charter a flight as part of their vacation or getaway plans.
If passengers are injured in a chartered plane crash, our lawyers in Anchorage can investigate the cause of the accident and any factors that may have contributed to the accident.
Helicopter Accidents
In addition to air taxis and small airplanes, the use of helicopters can help people navigate the Alaskan backcountry and assist with various kinds of research. Helicopters are also common in sightseeing, flightseeing, and touring industries, offering people access to remote areas of the state.
Our aviation crash attorneys in Anchorage can investigate the cause or causes of a helicopter accident and hold the liable party accountable. We can even go up against helicopter manufacturers like Robinson, Bell, Hughes, Schweizer, or Eurocopter if manufacturer negligence contributed to the crash.
Aircraft Accidents and Post-Crash Fires
A crash landing or a hard landing can rupture fuel tanks and potentially cause a fire. This can happen to a commercial airliner as well as small planes and helicopters. If occupants are trapped in the fuselage or cockpit during a post-crash fire, they may suffer severe burn injuries as well as smoke inhalation.
Our helicopter and plane crash attorneys can look into potential design or manufacturing issues that may have made the aircraft more susceptible to post-impact fires.
Request a Free Case Review with Our Alaska Aviation Accident Attorneys
Farnsworth & Vance is here to advocate for ordinary Alaskans after aviation accidents. Whether the case involves a small airplane, a commuter flight, a helicopter, or a commercial airliner, our lawyers will help you recover compensation for your hardships. To schedule a free case review to discuss your helicopter or plane crash, contact our attorneys in Anchorage, AK.
Potential Causes of Plane and Helicopter Accidents
There are many different factors that contribute to an airplane accident. Some of the common causes of plane crashes and helicopter accidents include:
- Pilot error
- Pilot inexperience
- Air traffic control errors
- Mechanical failure
- Instrument/equipment failure
- Lack of aircraft maintenance
- Poor aircraft design or manufacturing
- Inadequate aircraft quality control
- Adverse weather conditions
Our attorneys in Anchorage can investigate the plane crash or helicopter accident, determine if negligence played a role, and advise you on how to proceed with your claim.
Potential Injuries from Plane and Helicopter Crashes
The force of impact from an aviation crash can cause severe injuries that can cause long-term or permanent disability. Examples of catastrophic injuries from a serious accident include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Fractured Bones
- Joint Dislocations
- Hearing Loss
- Vision Loss
- Loss of Limbs
- Burn Injuries
- Neck and Back Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Damage to Internal Organs
Fatal Injuries from a Plane or Helicopter Crash
Given the nature of the injuries a person may sustain in an aviation accident as well as the risk of hypothermia and exposure, many helicopter and plane crashes in Alaska prove fatal. If the injuries sustained in the crash are not fatal themselves, a person may succumb to their injuries afterward despite getting medical treatment.
If you have lost a loved one in an aviation disaster, our attorneys here in Anchorage can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable party.
Legal Damages in an Aviation Accident Lawsuit
When seeking damages in a plane or helicopter crash lawsuit, our lawyers in Anchorage will consider all of the difficulties related to the accident. This includes current debts and bills as well as anticipated future expenses.
Medical Bills and Health-Related Expenses
Our lawyers will review all of your hospital bills, including the cost of emergency medical care, air or ground transport to a medical facility, hospitalization, life-saving surgical procedures, reconstructive surgery, physical rehabilitation, and occupational therapy. We can also consider the cost of any assistive devices for mobility or to perform other daily tasks (e.g., wheelchair or crutches).
Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Potential
Farnsworth & Vance can note any extended leave of absence from work to recuperate from your injuries. We can also consider how long-term injuries may have affected your ability to perform your duties at work and any lasting impact on your earning potential. We can estimate lost future earnings because of the accident’s impact on your career.
Loss of a Loved One in a Fatal Helicopter or Plane Crash
If you’ve lost a loved one in a helicopter or plane crash, our lawyers will note the pain and suffering you’ve experienced. Our attorneys will also consider funeral expenses, grief counseling, loss of companionship, and other changes to your household related to your loved one’s death.
Contact Our Alaska Law Firm to Discuss Your Aviation Accident
Whether the accident involved a jumbo jet from a major airline company, a regional commuter plane or air taxi, or a light helicopter, the aviation accident attorneys at Farnsworth & Vance are here to support you.
To speak with an attorney about your helicopter accident or plane crash, contact our law firm serving the people of Alaska. You can also reach our law office in Anchorage, AK about your aviation accident case by calling (907) 416-9071.