Aviation Law Group
Alaska Aviation LawyersThere is a reason that Alaska has 6 times as many pilots and 16 times as many aircraft, per capita than the rest of the United States: more than 90% of Alaska is not served by roads. In many parts of Alaska, aviation is not just an optional means of transport, it may be the only method.
Aviation Law Group & Alaska
Focus on Alaskan Aviation Accidents
Alaska’s Unique Aviation Environment
In Alaska, travel in small aircraft is a way of life. In 1995 the NTSB was concerned about high air taxi accident rates in Alaska, including the acceptance of pilots to take additional flight risks, and inadequate weather observations and communications. (NTSB Safety Recommendation A-95-142) The FAA has also performed numerous studies involving aviation accident rates in Alaska, and has established numerous recommendations to reduce the accident rate, and increase post-crash survival rates.
ALG’s Unique Experience
Mr. Hedrick is licensed to practice law in Alaska and has litigated accident claims in Alaska, including helicopter air tour accidents involving cruise ship passengers. He has given presentations on Alaska Bush Operations, and spoke at the Alaska Aviation Trade Show in Anchorage, addressing issues of the importance of pilot in command and why it matters in Alaska. He has also given numerous talks on seaplane safety and post-accident survivability issues.
What we do
Our Practice
Major Airline Disasters
ALG attorneys have represented numerous families who lost loved ones in major airline disasters, such as the January 31, 2000 Alaska Flight 261 accident near Point Hueneme, California, and the February 25, 2009 Turkish Airline Flight TK 1951 accident in Amsterdam.
operator Liability
Aviation accidents can have complex and multiple causes, including human error and product failure. Our experience is that there is almost never one single cause to an accident, but a series of errors and mistakes that come together at the same time with tragic results. ALG attorneys have extensive experience investigating, litigating, and taking to trial complex liability cases.
scenic tour accidents
Alaska is a unique and challenging place to aviate. Scenic tours often survey unforgiving terrain that leave a pilot without a safe option if the aircraft had mechanical problems. Air tour operators often run on very limited margins. We have seen cases where the accidents were the results of scenic tour operators who poorly trained their pilots and poorly maintained their fleets
heli-skiing accidents
Heli-skiing and snowboarding offers an amazing mountain recreation experience. However, the use of helicopters in remote snowy mountainous terrain that is often subject to adverse weather is not without risk. Because heli-skiing is popular in both the U.S. and Canada, we monitor US and Canadian Transportation Safety Board accident reports for trends, risks, and safety recommendations.
What Drives Us
Aviation Attorneys & Aviators
Aviation Law Group PS is a leading aviation law firm representing plaintiffs in the West Coast, the United States, and the World in aircraft accidents and other aviation-related cases involving serious injury/wrongful death. It is headquartered in Seattle, WA.
Aviation law is our entire practice.
Our attorneys are not just lawyer but have a passion and experience in the aviation industry. From experience as airline pilots or mechanics or instructors, each attorney at ALG is also an aviator. With more than 30 years of experience practicing law, and more than 40 years in aviation, ALG is proud of our excellent legal work on behalf of hundreds of clients.
Bob Hedrick
Attorney 30+ years
Commercial Pilot
A&P Aviation Mechanic
20+ years Teaching
Aviation Accident Law
Licenses in AK, WA, CA, & HI
Casey DuBose
Attorney 10+ years
AOPA Panel Attorney
Commercial Pilot
Flight Instructor
Aviation Law Speaker
Licensed in WA
Kerry Kovarik
Attorney 11+ years
IA Aviation Mechanic
Licensed in WA
Chris Rusing
Attorney 20+ years
Airline Pilot & Instructor
Airbus 320 Series Captain
Licensed in FL & WA
WHAT CAUSED THE MARITIME HELICOPTERS CRASH?
On July 20, 2023 a Bell 206 helicopter, operated by Maritime Helicopters, Inc. crashed into a lake in northern Alaska. The three passengers and the pilot did not survive the accident.
Who’s At Fault For Mid-Air Collisions?
On May 13, 2019, a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver crashed into a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter just east of Ketchikan, Alaska, killing seven and seriously injuring nine. Aviation Law Group represents numerous victims involved in that accident, of which ALG and our aviation accident experts, continue to investigate.
The Risks Of Heli-Ski Operations
On March 27, 2021, an Astar helicopter (Eurocopter AS350, now Airbus Helicopters) Crashed near Knik Glacier at 6:35 pm, approximately 50 miles east of Anchorage, Alaska. Five persons on board died, and one survived with serious injuries.
Firm Contact Information
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an aviation-related accident, please reach out to us. We are always willing to provide a free initial evaluation and meeting.