Investigation Launched After 28 Die In Incident

An aviation law expert at Irwin Mitchell has expressed his concerns following news that 28 people have been killed in a plane crash in Papua New Guinea.

Airlines PNG have launched an investigation into the incident (October 13th), which saw the Dash 8 aircraft come down 12 miles south of Madang as it made its way to the location from Lae.

Only four people – including two pilots from Australia and New Zealand respectively – survived the crash. Authorities have also confirmed that Airlines PNG have grounded the rest of their fleet of Dash 8 planes temporarily following the incident.

Irwin Mitchell’s Aviation Law team acts for a number of people who have been injured in plane crashes, as well as the families of those who have been killed in such incidents.  The multinational nature of aviation accidents means that the team pursues air accident claims on behalf of victims around the world.

Jim Morris, a former RAF pilot and Partner at the law firm’s London office is a specialist aviation lawyer.  He said: “Answers are clearly needed over how this terrible and devastating crash came to occur.

“While it is welcome to see that Airlines PNG have grounded the rest of their fleet of Dash 8s, there needs to be a full and thorough investigation into what happened in the lead-up to the crash and whether any technical, mechanical or avionics failure may have played a part.

“Such work is vital if reassurances are to be provided over the safety of this model of aircraft and flight safety in general is to be improved.”

“If there was no problem with the aircraft, the investigators need to determine to what extent other factors such as weather, pilot training and experience and operational management of the airline contributed to this crash.”

“We regularly see first-hand the terrible consequences that plane crashes have on so many families and it is vital that every effort is made to gather information on such incidents with a view to ensure, where possible, lessons can be learnt which will prevent further, shocking cases in the future.”

“Our thoughts are with the victims and families of this tragedy.”

Irwin Mitchell Aviation Law has developed extensive experience in handling aviation claims for passengers and crew involved in aviation accidents around the world, including international airliner disasters, business jet, light aircraft, helicopter and military accidents. For more information visit our Air Accident Claims Page.