Our previous post discussed how air traffic controller negligence can create risks for accidents. As we continue to learn more about the events at LaGuardia Airport on March 22, 2026, it is also important to discuss common causes of these types of accidents so that families can begin to understand what may have gone wrong.
Common causes of ground collision plane accidents
Ground collision crashes occur when an aircraft strikes terrain, structures, other aircraft, fixed objects, or, as was the case in the LaGuardia incident, other vehicles. After the crash, investigators quickly begin to gather evidence to determine what went wrong. This often includes a review of the following potential issues:
- Crew situational awareness
- Communication issues potentially including readback errors
- Fatigue or time pressures for crew both on the ground and in the aircraft
- Weather effect on braking, visibility, crosswind control or possible runway contamination
- Inadequate training or weak standard operating procedures
- Maintenance errors such as braking or lighting issues
- Airport design, signage, markings, lighting, ramp congestion or vehicle control lapses
As investigations begin to point to a cause, discussion on liability will also unfold. Legal exposure increases when documentation shows prior similar events, red flags during previous audits, corrective action delays or known hazards without mitigation.
Accidents like the tragic crash at LaGuardia are rarely the result of a single mistake. Although investigators continue to look for the cause of this accident, they have stated that it was a “series of failures” that included both staffing and technology issues.
Options for grieving families
As discussed in our prior post, grieving families have legal rights and can take action to hold responsible parties accountable for their errors. This action not only helps your family in their journey towards recovery but also serves to better ensure similar mistakes are not made in the future.
These cases are complex as they often involve private parties as well as government agencies. As such, it is wise to seek legal counsel from attorneys with experience in this niche area of the law to help navigate investigations, specialized regulations and multiple potentially responsible parties. An attorney familiar with aviation litigation can help preserve evidence, work with technical experts, and deal with inquiries from agencies such as the FAA while protecting the grieving family’s rights throughout the process.