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San Carlos Aviation Accident Attorney

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Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754

Aviation Accidents at San Carlos Airport

San Carlos Airport (SQL), operated by the County of San Mateo, is a towered general aviation airport on the San Francisco Peninsula between San Francisco Bay and the Coast Range foothills. It serves flight training, personal aviation, and corporate operations in San Mateo County. The NTSB has investigated three serious-injury accidents at San Carlos since 1982, with no fatal accidents in the dataset. The most significant accident in the San Carlos record involves a youth aviation introduction flight — a context that raises specific questions about operator duty of care and the standards applicable to carrying minors as passengers.

Attorney Michael Rehm represents people injured in aviation accidents at San Carlos Airport and throughout San Mateo County.

NTSB Accident Record at San Carlos Airport

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

In March 2009, a Piper PA-28-235 operated by the Flying Veterans of San Francisco Club experienced a total loss of engine power immediately after takeoff and impacted marsh terrain near Steinberger Slough with four serious injuries (NTSB Accident Report No. WPR09LA169). The aircraft was conducting a Young Eagles flight — an EAA program that provides free introductory flights to youth. The NTSB performed a complete teardown inspection of the engine but was unable to identify a pre-accident mechanical cause. The loss of engine power on initial climb was undetermined. When the NTSB cannot identify a mechanical cause after full teardown, the investigation's scope extends to maintenance records, fuel management, and pilot decision-making. Aircraft and engine maintenance records before the flight, the pilot's preflight procedure, and the last inspection sign-off are all relevant to determining where liability lies. A 1991 homebuilt aircraft accident (LAX91LA322) resulted in one serious injury, and a 1982 Cessna 152 accident (LAX82DVM14) resulted in one serious injury.

Liability at San Carlos Airport

County of San Mateo as Airport Operator

San Carlos Airport is operated by the County of San Mateo, a public entity. Claims against the County for dangerous conditions at the airport are governed by Government Code § 835. The County is vicariously liable for the acts of its employees under Government Code § 815.2. Claims against the County 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.

Flying Club Liability and Duty of Care to Passengers

The March 2009 accident (WPR09LA169) involved a flying club aircraft carrying youth passengers on an introductory flight. A flying club that makes aircraft available to members and conducts flights carrying non-member passengers takes on the duty of ordinary care under Civil Code § 1714 to every person aboard. The club's maintenance program, the aircraft's inspection history, and whether the pilot was properly checked out in the specific aircraft are all relevant to whether that duty was met. The undetermined engine failure after a full teardown does not end the inquiry — it shifts it to what was known or should have been known about the engine's condition before the flight.

ATC at San Carlos Airport

San Carlos Airport is a federally towered airport. ATC services are provided by FAA personnel. Claims for ATC error at SQL are brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)) against the United States, with an administrative claim required within two years under 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b).

Filing Deadlines for San Carlos Aviation Claims

The personal injury statute of limitations is two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Claims against San Mateo County require a government tort claim within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Missing the six-month deadline can potentially bar a claim against the County. Tolling may apply depending on the facts.

Related Pages

Attorney Michael Rehm represents aviation accident victims in San Carlos 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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