The Plane Crash Death of Adventurer Steve Fossett

The plane crash that killed Steve Fossett has received a lot of press coverage, some of it erroneous.

For example, many reporters took issue with the fact that Steve Fossett failed to file a “flight plan” before taking off from William Barron Hilton’s Flying-M Ranch in northern Nevada ranch on September 3, 2007. These writers seem to believe that a flight plan would’ve given authorities the exact coordinates of Fossett’s journey at every moment, and thus a simple path to travel to search for the plane crash. (The search for Steve Fossett’s plane crash, by the way, covered seventeen thousand square miles and was the most exhaustive search for a missing aircraft in U.S. record.)

The truth is, in fact, that a flight plan, especially a “VFR” (visual flight rules) flight plan for clear and sunny flight conditions, would have done nothing to aid searchers in finding Steve Fossett’s plane crash site. As Stephan Wilkinson writes at concierge.com, “Fossett had only a general idea of where he’d be flying… So give the guy a break. Failing to file a VFR flight plan is tantamount to failing to change the air in your tires before going for a drive.” Flight plans don’t detail every movement of a planned plane flight, so when a plane crash happens, flight plans are of little help. A pilot can take a plane up and wander around the skies, just like you can take your car and roam freely around your neighborhood. Steve Fossett’s failure to file a flight plan was not reckless, just expedient.

Steve Fossett’s plane crash happened in a Bellanca Super Decathlon, a tiny two-seat prop plane with little speed and good maneuverability. His choice of plane was appropriate. What other things could Fossett have done to survive his plane crash – and what could you do to avoid dying in a plane crash?

Count the number of rows to the nearest exits. If you can find the exit in the dark or smoke, you’re much likelier to survive a plane crash.

Brace yourself for the impact. If you get knocked out by the plane crash, you’re a lot less likely to live.

Don’t wear sandals. In a plane crash, good shoes and long sleeved garments will help protect you from sharp metal, glass fragments and flame.

Find water and follow it. If you walk away from a plane crash, head downhill and find a stream or river, and follow it. Water always leads to civilization.

Prepare your family for a plane crash. Make sure your kids understand what to do, and split the responsibility for children with your spouse so each of you know which kids to guide in the unlikely event of a plane crash.

If oxygen masks drop before the plane crash, put your mask on before your kids’. As the flight attendants will tell you, it’s better if you’re conscious so you can help your smaller companions.

Sit near the rear. Although the FAA argues that there is no safest seat in a plane crash, a comprehensive study by Popular Mechanics claims that passengers in the rear of a plane are 40 percent more likely to live through a plane crash than the folks in the front seats.

Move fast, stay calm and stay low immediately following a plane crash. Toxic smoke is a major killer in plane crashes; staying low keeps you breathing cleaner air. Time is a big factor in a plane crash, too; don’t delay because conditions in the plane cabin will only deteriorate from fire, smoke and possibly explosions.

If you’ve survived a plane crash, don’t hesitate to contact the plane crash lawyers at Street & Ragsdale. Our accident lawyers are experienced and highly successful experts who can help you obtain justice in your plane crash case.

* STAY CALM.

* Move yourself and your passengers out of harm’s way. Call the police.

* Assist anyone who is injured. Call for an ambulance if necessary.

* Get the name, address, phone number, and license number of the other driver(s) and car(s). Exchange insurance information. DO NOT discuss the accident (except with the police), but DO make notes of anything the other driver(s) says about the accident.

* Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses.

* Get photographs of your vehicle, contact your insurance company, and write down everything you remember about the collision ASAP.

* Contact our firm to discuss your legal options.

Don’t Let Airplane Crashes Catch You Napping

Because plane crashes are so spectacular, they tend to make the evening news. As a result, people often forget how safe air travel is–it’s much safer than driving. However, from time to time planes do crash. While passengers in the plane can hardly prevent a crash, they can take some common-sense steps to make sure that they survive any crash that may occur.

Airline safety starts before you leave home. Dress sensibly, preferably in long pants and sturdy shoes. After a crash is no time to find out that the shorts you’re wearing do not protect you from flames, or that your sandals do not protect your feet from the glass and metal, or that your clothes are insufficient to protect you from the elements after you exit a crashed plane.

When you take your seat, note the location of the nearest emergency exits in front of you and behind you. Count the number of rows to these exits, and remember the number; this will help you in case the plane fills with smoke.

Plan how you will escape from the plane in the event of a crash. While a plane is crashing is the wrong time to be formulating your escape plan. As part of the plan, think about how you will help any children traveling with you.

Finally, get out of a crashed plane as fast as you can. Leave your luggage and everything else and save yourself. If you have to use an emergency slide, slide feet-first and then clear the bottom of the slide for the next person.