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The Beasley Firm has been retained by families of victims in two separate helicopter crash cases. One occurring in Kenya in 2019, and the other in California in 2024. Both incidents tragically resulted in multiple fatalities. Despite occurring on different continents, these cases share complex legal challenges and the pursuit of justice across borders. Our aviation team is actively investigating both crashes to hold the responsible parties accountable and ensure that the families receive the answers and compensation they deserve.
In March 2019, a Bell 505X helicopter operated by KIDL Helicopters crashed into Lake Turkana’s Central Island in Kenya shortly after takeoff. Sadly, the accident killed all five people on board, including four American tourists and the Kenyan pilot. The aircraft had departed under nighttime conditions and shortly thereafter lost contact with local air traffic control.
At some point during the take-off, the tail rotor on the helicopter was severed (a critical component needed to keep the helicopter stable) causing the aircraft to spin out of control. This happened when one of the main rotor blades struck the tail boom, a serious failure that should never happen under normal flight conditions. The crash occurred within a remote area of Kenya's Central Island National Park, making rescue and recovery efforts particularly challenging.
In February 2024, an Airbus EC130 helicopter operating under Orbic Air crashed in a remote region of the Mojave Desert near Halloran Springs, California. Tragically, all six people on board, including two helicopter pilots, perished in the accident.
The aircraft was en route from Palm Springs, California, to Boulder City, Nevada, when it encountered adverse weather conditions and low visibility during nighttime operations. Strict adherence to safety protocols is critical when flying a helicopter in difficult weather conditions, where visibility is limited and pilot workload is significantly increased. Failure to follow established procedures can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Having an attorney who understands aviation law is critical because of the complex technical, regulatory, and operational factors that go beyond standard legal knowledge. Lawyers with piloting experience, like The Beasley Firm's aviation group, can analyze accident reports, air traffic control communications, and flight data with an insider’s perspective, helping to identify liability that may have contributed to an incident.
We have fought and won against the US Government, winning a $5.4 million verdict against the USA Air Traffic Control System after a fatal mid-air collision.
The Beasley Firm has made history in courtrooms across the country on behalf of families who have lost loved ones in airplane and helicopter crashes. In Guarnere v. Cessna, a federal jury ordered the Cessna Aircraft Company to pay nearly $30 million to the families who lost loved ones in a crash due to a defective pilot's seat.
Our aviation attorneys are available to represent clients nationwide. As demonstrated by our active investigation in Africa, we can also mobilize internationally. Contact us today for a free attorney review.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.