Looks as though Hawai’ian Electric Company is legally responsible for the Maui Wildfire.  After all, it: Failed to de-energize power lines in areas with high winds and dry vegetation, even though it had a public power shutoff plan in place; Failed to maintain its power lines and equipment, which …

After a “meticulous and thorough investigation,” Cal Fire concludes that the Dixie Fire was caused by a tree contacting PG&E’s electrical lines. No surprise, given that PG&E all but admitted as much last July. We can expect Cal Fire to now join the lawsuit we’ve filed on behalf of our

Instrument approach procedures are pre-determined paths and maneuvers that, if followed, will guide an aircraft to a runway in reduced visibility.  The last leg of an instrument approach procedure is typically a straight line (more or less) to the end of the runway.  The straight line minimizes the turns the

FEMA aid is now available for Dixie Fire survivors.  Aid can include money for temporary housing, for repairs, and for certain personal properly losses. Deadline for registering is October 15. The catches: By and large, FEMA helps only when the loss is uninsured or underinsured.  For example, if your

Some media outlets have reported that poor visibility from the PG&E Dixie wildfire smoke may have caused the Bombardier Challenger jet crash in Truckee.   If true, would that make PG&E liable? Probably not. PG&E is liable to those whose property burned in the Dixie Fire, or those whose property

I was covered for the Dixie Fire under the California FAIR Plan.  What now? The good news is that FAIR Plan policies pay for the cash value of your dwelling, and the cash value of its contents.  But that’s about it. No rebuilding costs. Most FAIR Plan policies pay

The Dixie Fire is now the second largest wildfire in California history, at nearly 500,000 acres.   So far, it has destroyed more than 1000 structures, including 550 homes.  It has totally destroyed the town of Greenville. Though the fire boundaries are huge, it’s unlikely that PG&E’s financial liability from the

PG&E now acknowledges that its equipment likely ignited the Dixie Fire.  In its July 18 report to state regulators, it admits that there was a power outage, that a troubleman went to investigate, that the troubleman saw a tree leaning against PG&E wires, that the troubleman saw blown fuses on

Few turns in aviation are as dangerous as the “base-to-final” turn.  That’s the last turn the pilot executes to line up with the runway. When that final turn is made, the aircraft is always low and slow. If the pilot tightens the turn too much, the aircraft can stall

At first glance, this week’s crash of Cirrus N89423 at Truckee looks like yet another “high density altitude” accident.  Such accidents are, after all, perhaps the most common type of accident at Truckee airport.  Due to the thin air, the aircraft cannot climb fast enough to clear rising terrain or

In May, a Piper Navajo PA-31 crashed shortly after takeoff from Myrtle Beach.  The pilot was ATP-rated and worked for American Airlines.  He knew he was in trouble almost immediately after takeoff.  He tried to return to the airport.  He reached an altitude of about 1000 feet, then dropped 475

Among the most dangerous  activities in the aviation industry is the installation on an aircraft of unapproved or bogus parts – parts that have not been properly tested, approved, and certified as safe.  The practice has been linked to the crash of both commercial and private aircraft.  It is illegal