Four people were tragically killed in a midair collision between a Piper PA-28-161 Cadet fixed wing airplane and a Piper J3C-65 Cub seaplane on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 over Lake Hartridge in Winter Haven, Florida. There were 2 people aboard each of the planes with no survivors.
Piper J3C-65 Cub airplane
The Piper PA-28-161 Cadet, registry number N9221D, was a fixed-wing single-engine plane registered to Ormond Aircraft Leasing & Management Inc. in Ormond Beach, Florida. It was manufactured in 1988 and was equipped with a Lycoming 0-320 series reciprocating engine.
The Piper J3C-65 Cub, registry number N10510, was also a fixed-wing single-engine airplane registered to Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base, Inc. in Winter Haven, FL. It was manufactured in 1956 and equipped with a reciprocating Continental Motors A-65 engine.
Previous Kreindler Mid-Air Collision Experience
Kreindler has successfully represented victims and their families in numerous mid-air collision cases.
In a previous Kreindler mid-air collision case, the two aircraft collided while landing at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, NY. The training aircraft (Cessna) was landing and was not seen by the other aircraft (Piper) which was also landing and the Piper crashed into the training aircraft from behind.
Mid-air collision: Our client vs. FAA, Cessna 172 & Cessna 182, California
Mid-air collision: Our client vs. FAA, Cessna 172 & Piper Comanche Crash, Long Island, NY
Kreindler has successfully handled several wrongful death cases arising from airplane crashes involving flight school training flights.
Aviation training cases do not raise the same issues of protecting academic freedom, judgment and discretion that compelled courts to devise the absolute bar on lawsuits against traditional schools under the educational malpractice doctrine.
Please read our trade articles written by Kreindler attorneys regarding flight school accidents and liability:
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the crash. The NTSB’s lead investigator on the scene told media that the collision may have occurred while both aircraft were attempting to land. The NTSB said it expects to release a full preliminary report within a few weeks.
The General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA) is a federal law that can be used to preclude victims and their families from suing the manufacturer of a small airplane, or component part, if the plane is more than 18 years old. Kreindler has successfully overcome GARA limitations in previous cases.
Endnotes
Photo of Piper J3C-65 Cub airplane via Flickr by H. Michael Miley Photo of Piper PA-28-161 Cadet airplane via Flickr by Bob Adams
Aviation training cases do not raise the same issues of protecting academic freedom, judgment and discretion that compelled courts to devise the absolute bar on lawsuits against traditional schools under the educational malpractice doctrine.
