Avionics Software Failure Leading To Airplane Crashes
Modern airplanes are technological marvels that use the most advanced systems on the planet to stay safe. However, those systems are not infallible or perfect, and when they fail, people suffer. Those affected people deserve a strong, experienced team pushing for the compensation they deserve.
At Nolan Law Group, we’ve been one of the premier firms in aviation accident litigation for more than 40 years. We bring experience in a niche area of the law to you and leverage that experience for results. The extensive insight into the issues facing you in avionics software failure cases is valuable and we want to explain how we get to work.
The Most Common Types Of Avionics Failure
The positioning and evidentiary bend of your case is going to revolve around the type of system failure. Every failure comes with a host of legal and practical challenges that we can help you resolve. Some of the problems we see the most include:
- Automated override systems vs. pilot input: Software algorithms, such as trim adjustment systems or stall prevention software, can make errors and demand dangerous pitch changes that distract or overwhelm pilots during crucial flying maneuvers.
- Single-point sensor dependencies: There are massive risks involved in designing flight control systems that rely on a single Angle of Attack (AoA) sensor or pitot tube. This is because with one sensor, the potential for hardware glitches feeding false data directly into the flight control is magnified.
- Autopilot and flight management system (FMS) glitches: Autopilot and flight management systems are as susceptible to glitches as any other type of technology. The main problems that impact FMS software are logic loops, uncommanded disconnects and glass-cockpit display blackouts that create severe spatial disorientation and loss of control.
- Lack of disclosure and training omissions: Often a major manufacturer will implement complex automated software fixes that bypass expensive simulator training requirements without informing airlines or flight crews. This means that these fixes, which change how the software performs, are found organically by users and can sometimes be found in an emergency, causing errors and – ultimately – crashes.
These ultimately damaging choices by avionics manufacturers and software are major sources of pain for clients.
The Difficulties Of Targeting Software Architects and Avionics Integrators
Typically speaking, software architects and avionics integrators can be classified as Tier 1 suppliers. That status of a Tier 1 supplier opens them up to direct litigation in U.S. federal courts, keeping them in a much more friendly jurisdiction for your case. While the supplier may still attempt to move venue or hide behind international law, we can pursue your claim aggressively using that opening.
Our Track Record For Results
The Boeing 737 MAX crashes permanently changed how the legal industry views flight control software defects. In those cases, it was sensor design and software interaction flaws that are now the major pillar of modern aviation product liability. And while defense teams routinely try to blame “pilot error” in these incidents, we can build the case that these are often automatic systems leading to catastrophe.
Part of the work we do with clients and partnering attorneys is to leverage our forensic investigation to determine when and how human crews were trapped by flawed automation.
Trusted Experience In Avionics Software Failures
Our understanding of the international and federal realities of these types of product liability cases is trusted across the country. We have helped many clients successfully navigate and pursue these damages. We’re ready to help you. Call us at 312-820-2071 today to learn more about our firm or send an email using this online form.