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Monterey Aviation Accident Attorney

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Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754

Aviation Accidents at Monterey Regional Airport

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), operated by the City of Monterey, serves commercial regional airlines alongside general aviation on the Monterey Peninsula. Commercial carriers including regional affiliates of major airlines provide scheduled passenger service. The airport sits at sea level adjacent to Monterey Bay, surrounded by the Santa Lucia Range to the east and south and the Pacific Ocean to the west — terrain and oceanic conditions that generate significant instrument meteorological challenges on approach and departure. The NTSB has investigated ten fatal accidents in the Monterey area since 1982, with twenty-four fatalities, and four serious-injury accidents. The record spans commercial regional airline maintenance failures, spatial disorientation, and missed approach loss of control.

Attorney Michael Rehm represents people injured in aviation accidents at Monterey Regional Airport and throughout Monterey County. Monterey is one of the few Bay Area regional airports where the NTSB record includes both commercial carrier maintenance claims and fatal general aviation approaches.

NTSB Accident Record at Monterey Regional Airport

The following is drawn from the NTSB's CAROL accident database and represents historical investigation records only.

A July 2021 Cessna 421C crash (NTSB Accident Report No. WPR21FA270) killed two after the NTSB found spatial disorientation during an instrument departure procedure. A July 1987 Piper PA-32R-301T crash (LAX87FA281) killed four after the NTSB found the pilot lost control while executing a missed approach. An August 1984 Cessna 320C crash (LAX84FA453) killed five — the highest single-event fatality in the Monterey dataset; the NTSB probable cause is not fully stated in the CAROL record and requires verification. A September 1987 Beech 95 operated by the Monterey Navy Flying Club crashed killing three (LAX87FA331), cause not stated in CAROL.

The most significant serious-injury accident in the Monterey record for liability purposes is February 2001, documented as NTSB Accident Report No. LAX01LA105. A SkyWest Airlines Embraer EMB-120 on approach to Monterey Regional experienced moisture contamination of the elevator trim actuators, which caused the units to freeze. The frozen trim actuators produced an abrupt and uncontrolled pitch change, causing one passenger to sustain serious injuries. The NTSB found moisture contamination had worked into the elevator trim actuator assemblies, allowing them to freeze. This is a maintenance claim against SkyWest Airlines and potentially against the aircraft manufacturer depending on whether the actuator design adequately protected against moisture intrusion. A commercial carrier's failure to detect and correct contaminated elevator trim actuators during its maintenance program is a breach of the utmost care standard under Public Utilities Code § 2101. A 2003 Cessna 210L serious-injury accident (LAX03LA283) resulted in three serious injuries after the pilot intentionally continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions.

Liability at Monterey Regional Airport

City of Monterey as Airport Operator

Monterey Regional Airport is operated by the City of Monterey, a public entity. Claims against the City for dangerous conditions at the airport are governed by Government Code § 835. The City is vicariously liable for the acts of its employees under Government Code § 815.2. Claims against the City require a government tort claim under Government Code § 911.2 within six months of the incident. Missing this deadline can potentially bar a lawsuit. Tolling may apply — contact Attorney Michael Rehm to assess the specific timeline in your case.

Commercial Carrier Maintenance Failure

The February 2001 SkyWest Embraer 120 accident (LAX01LA105) is the clearest commercial carrier maintenance liability case in the Monterey record. SkyWest operated the aircraft under a Part 121 air carrier certificate. Commercial carriers under Part 121 are required to maintain their aircraft in airworthy condition under 14 C.F.R. Part 121, Subpart L. Elevator trim actuators that freeze due to moisture contamination are not airworthy. California's common carrier standard under Public Utilities Code § 2101 requires the utmost care — a standard not met by a carrier whose elevator trim controls freeze on approach. The aircraft manufacturer bears separate potential liability if the actuator design inadequately protected against moisture intrusion in the coastal operating environment.

ATC at Monterey Regional Airport

Monterey Regional Airport is a federally towered airport. Claims for ATC error at MRY are brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)) against the United States. An administrative claim must be filed with the FAA within two years of the accident under 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b).

Filing Deadlines for Monterey Aviation Claims

The personal injury statute of limitations is two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Claims against the City of Monterey require a government tort claim within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Missing the six-month deadline can potentially bar a claim. FTCA claims against the federal government for ATC error require an administrative claim within two years. Tolling may apply depending on the facts.

Related Pages

Attorney Michael Rehm represents aviation accident victims in Monterey and throughout California on a contingency fee basis. No fee without a recovery. Call (800) 978-0754 to arrange a free consultation.

The information on this page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts. The law can change — statutes are amended, cases are decided, and regulations are revised; nothing on this page should be relied upon as a statement of current law without verification. Deadlines and legal bars discussed on this page are general guides — whether a particular deadline applies, has run, or is subject to tolling, and whether a particular doctrine bars or limits recovery in your case, requires individual analysis. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to discuss the specific facts of your situation.

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