Defend Your Interests While the Wreckage Is Still Smoking

William G. Harger & Associates, PLLC provides legal representation in aviation accidents and incidents, guiding pilots, aircraft owners, and operators through investigations, liability claims, and regulatory proceedings that often follow accidents and forced landings. You may be facing an FAA and/or NTSB investigation after an incident, responding to an insurance claim involving aircraft damage or personal injury, or dealing with an FAA enforcement action triggered by the same event. The firm represents clients across the country, working with investigators, technical experts, and regulatory agencies to protect your interests while navigating the intersection of FARs, insurance policies, and civil liability claims.

General aviation accidents generate immediate scrutiny from multiple parties including the NTSB, the FAA, insurance adjusters, and potentially injured passengers or third parties on the ground. There may also be property damage claims. The legal issues begin before the wreckage is moved, as statements made at the scene, logbook entries, and maintenance records are collected and analyzed to determine probable cause and assign fault. The firm works with clients to manage communications with investigators, review factual findings for accuracy, and challenge conclusions that mischaracterize pilot decision-making, aircraft maintenance, or mechanical failures. This process requires an understanding of aircraft systems, flight and maintenance operations, meteorology, and the protocols involved in accident and incident investigations.

It is critical to contact the firm immediately after an accident or incident to ensure your rights are protected from the begining.

You gain someone who understands both the technical and legal dimensions of accident investigation, and who can identify when an investigator's conclusions might be based on incomplete data or incorrect assumptions. The firm coordinates with engineers, accident reconstructionists, meteorologists, and pilot and maintenance experts who can analyze wreckage, flight data, and maintenance records to support your case. We review insurance policies and negotiate with adjusters to ensure claims are properly resolved.

Representation may include assistance with responding to an NTSB investigation, responding to any FAA enforcement actions arising from the accident, and settlement or defending against liability claims by passengers, property owners, or other affected parties. William G. Harger & Associates, PLLC handles cases involving allegations of pilot error, negligent maintenance, fuel contamination, weather-related accidents, and mid-air collisions, always focusing on protecting your certificate, your assets, and your reputation. The firm also assists with insurance claim disputes when carriers deny coverage or undervalue losses.



Pilots and aircraft owners involved in accidents or serious incidents often have urgent questions about investigations, liability, and how their statements might be used against them.

What should I say to investigators at the accident scene?

You should provide factual information about the flight and the sequence of events, but avoid speculating about the cause or accepting fault, and you should request that your attorney be present before making detailed written statements or formal interviews, as anything you say can be used in enforcement actions and civil litigation.

How does the NTSB determine probable cause and can I challenge it?

The NTSB analyzes wreckage, interviews witnesses, reviews maintenance records, and considers weather and operational factors to issue a probable cause determination. While you cannot force the NTSB to change its findings, their probable cause determinations are not admissible in court and you can submit corrections to factual errors, which could result in a revised report.

When does my insurance company deny coverage after an accident?

Insurance companies may deny coverage if they determine you violated policy exclusions such as flying without a valid medical certificate, operating outside approved flight parameters, or failing to maintain the aircraft in accordance with manufacturer requirements. However, there must be a nexus between the breach of the policy conditions and the cause of the accident.

Why would the FAA take enforcement action even if the accident was not my fault?

The FAA can pursue enforcement if the investigation reveals regulatory violations such as operating an unairworthy aircraft, flying without required endorsements, or violating airspace or weather minimums, regardless of whether those violations caused the accident, because the FAA's focus is on regulatory compliance rather than fault for the accident itself.

How long does it take to resolve an aviation accident case?

NTSB investigations typically take eight to eighteen months to issue a probable cause determination. Civil litigation or insurance claim resolution can take one to three years depending on the complexity of liability issues, the severity of injuries, and whether the case proceeds to trial or settles during negotiations.

If you are involved in an aviation accident or incident, or if you are facing a liability claim or enforcement action following an event, contact William G. Harger & Associates, PLLC to begin building your defense and protecting your legal and professional interests.