10 Frequently Asked Questions in Personal Injury Cases
Posted in: Injuries
KNR Legal Blog
Tragedy struck Ohio on May 25, 2025, when two small planes crashed just hours apart. These incidents reflect a troubling trend: private plane accidents and small aircraft crashes are rising across Ohio and the U.S. According to the NTSB, 2025 has already seen dozens of fatal aviation accidents, most involving single-engine or experimental planes.
For families affected, the aftermath is devastating. That’s where we come in. At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, one of Ohio’s leading personal injury law firms, we help families navigate the complex legal landscape that follows an aviation accident. Whether you’re seeking answers, accountability, or rightful compensation, our aviation attorneys provide the clarity, compassion, and courtroom experience you need.
If you’ve lost a loved one or were injured in a small plane crash in Ohio, contact us to understand your rights and options.
Ohio has seen an increase in small aircraft crashes, underscoring the risks associated with private and recreational aviation. In late May 2025, two separate plane crashes occurred just hours apart. In Ashtabula County, a Zenith 701—an experimental, single-engine aircraft—struck a tree and crashed near State Route 307, killing one person and critically injuring another. That same day in Riley Township, a solo pilot lost control while taking off from Gibbs Aviation and crashed in a nearby field. Fortunately, that pilot was uninjured, but the back-to-back events shook communities across northern Ohio.
These are only the latest in a series of tragic aviation incidents throughout the state. From Ashland County to Tuscarawas, Ohio has experienced multiple fatal and near-fatal private plane crashes in recent months. Investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are ongoing, but initial findings often point to mechanical failure, pilot error, or adverse weather conditions. These recurring crashes are a stark reminder that aviation safety standards, especially for non-commercial flights, can vary widely and leave passengers vulnerable to serious harm.
While major airports are closely monitored and staffed with air traffic control, smaller regional and municipal airports lack many of those safeguards. This makes them more prone to accidents, especially involving private pilots, experimental aircraft, or solo flights.
These handle commercial airline traffic but may also see private, charter, and general aviation:
These serve private pilots, small aircraft, flight schools, and business charters — and are often where small plane accidents occur:
While commercial airline travel is highly regulated and statistically safe, small aircraft and private plane accidents remain alarmingly common. These crashes are rarely caused by a single factor. Instead, they typically result from a combination of human error, mechanical failure, and environmental hazards. Understanding the root causes can help families identify liability and begin the path toward justice.
Most small plane crashes involve some form of pilot misjudgment, including poor decision-making in bad weather, misreading instrument panels, or failing to follow proper takeoff and landing procedures. This is especially common at non-towered airports like Wadsworth Municipal or Germack Airport, where pilots self-navigate without active ground control. Instructors or flight schools may also bear liability if proper training wasn’t provided.
Planes stored at under-resourced regional airstrips may suffer from infrequent inspections or the use of outdated components. A faulty fuel pump, a corroded engine part, or a disconnected flight control surface can all result in catastrophic failure. Maintenance providers, mechanics, and aircraft owners can be held liable if a crash is linked to poor upkeep or overlooked safety checks.
Experimental planes, like the Zenith 701 involved in the recent Ashtabula County crash, pose unique risks. These are often amateur-built aircraft, and while legal for flight, they may lack the structural integrity or safety features of FAA-certified planes. In such cases, manufacturers or kit designers may be liable under product liability laws if a flawed component or unsafe design contributed to the crash.
Ohio’s rapidly changing weather—fog, high winds, and lake-effect snow—can pose serious risks to small planes. A lack of advanced weather monitoring tools makes pilots more vulnerable at smaller airports like Portage County Regional or Toledo Executive. That decision could constitute negligence if the weather was a known hazard and a flight proceeded without due caution.
While rare, runway collisions, near-misses, or obstructions (wildlife, vehicles) can occur at unsecured or poorly managed airstrips. Even at complex sites like Rickenbacker International (LCK), which hosts both cargo and military operations, conflicting traffic patterns or breakdowns in communication between air traffic controllers and private pilots can lead to tragic consequences.
Determining liability after a small plane crash involves federal investigations, flight records, maintenance logs, and expert analysis. Unlike car accidents, aviation crashes can involve multiple negligent parties across different industries. At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, our attorneys work closely with aviation experts, the NTSB, and federal agencies to identify who should be held accountable.
Here are some of the parties that could be held responsible:
If you or a loved one has been affected by a small plane crash in Ohio, you may be entitled to significant compensation, especially if the accident resulted from negligence, defective equipment, or poor maintenance. Under Ohio law, both personal injury and wrongful death claims are possible, depending on the circumstances.
Under Ohio law, a person’s estate may be able to sue after a fatal plane accident if the decedent’s death was caused by a wrongful act or neglect. A consideration is whether the decedent would have been entitled to sue for personal injuries had they lived. If yes, their loved one would have had a right to recover damages, then the personal representative of the decedent’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of the person’s death.
Through a wrongful death claim, the estate can seek:
Any damages obtained during a lawsuit are for the benefit of the decedent’s surviving spouse, children, and parents.
If you survived a plane crash or were injured as a passenger, you may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. These claims can provide compensation for emergency medical care, surgical procedures, long-term rehabilitation, and other treatment costs.
Victims may also recover damages for lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any permanent disfigurement or disability resulting from the crash.
If a crash was caused by a defective aircraft component, such as a faulty engine part, altimeter, or control system, the aircraft or part manufacturer may be held strictly liable under Ohio’s product liability laws. This means you don’t have to prove negligence; it’s enough to show that a dangerous defect existed and directly contributed to the accident.
Under Ohio law, both personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits related to aviation accidents must be filed within two years of the crash. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim, no matter how strong the evidence may be.
Given the complexity of aircraft investigations and the involvement of federal agencies like the NTSB and FAA, it’s critical to consult an experienced attorney as early as possible.
Whether you’ve survived the crash or lost a loved one, early action after a small or private plane crash in Ohio is essential to preserving evidence, proving liability, and recovering full compensation.
Every small plane crash triggers a multi-agency investigation, typically led by the NTSB in coordination with the FAA and local authorities. These investigations are essential for identifying the cause of the crash and determining who may be held responsible.
Investigators examine a range of factors, including flight records, pilot qualifications, aircraft maintenance logs, weather conditions, communication with air traffic control, and, when available, data from cockpit voice recorders. In cases involving experimental or privately maintained aircraft, scrutiny often falls on potential design defects or mechanical failures.
While these investigations can take months, families don’t have to wait to begin protecting their legal rights. At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we conduct independent investigations alongside federal efforts that involve preserving evidence, consulting aviation experts, and ensuring that no detail is overlooked. This proactive approach strengthens your case and increases the likelihood of identifying all liable parties and recovering full compensation.
A small plane crash can shatter lives in an instant, leaving families overwhelmed by grief, medical bills, and unanswered questions. At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we understand that aviation accident claims are not like other personal injury cases. They require deep legal knowledge, access to aviation experts, and the ability to act quickly while federal investigations are ongoing. With a proven track record of holding negligent parties accountable and securing substantial results for our clients, KNR is ready to fight for you.
Contact Kisling, Nestico & Redick at 1-800-HURT-NOW today for a free, no-risk consultation.