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Santa Rosa Aviation Accident Attorney

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Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754

Aviation Accidents at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS), operated by the County of Sonoma, is the only commercial service airport in the North Bay region, serving commercial regional airlines alongside general aviation. Located in Santa Rosa, it handles scheduled passenger service from multiple carriers as well as charter, corporate, and personal aviation operations. The NTSB has investigated seven fatal accidents in the Santa Rosa area since 1982, producing eleven fatalities, and three serious-injury accidents. The accident record includes both general aviation instrument approach failures and a ground-level propeller strike involving an instructor — two very different categories of liability against very different defendants.

Attorney Michael Rehm represents people injured in aviation accidents at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport and throughout Sonoma County.

NTSB Accident Record at Santa Rosa

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

A January 2016 Piper PA-24 accident (NTSB Accident Report No. WPR16FA059) killed two after the NTSB found the pilot failed to maintain aircraft control during an instrument approach in night IMC conditions. A June 2017 Piper PA-28 accident (WPR17FA120) killed two after the NTSB found the pilot exceeded the airplane's critical angle of attack while intentionally maneuvering in low-altitude flight. An October 2000 Cessna 182S crash (LAX01FA003) killed one after the NTSB found the pilot lost control due to spatial disorientation. A December 1989 McDonnell Douglas 369E helicopter crash (LAX90FA060) killed one after the NTSB found the pilot made an improper preflight planning decision that resulted in fuel exhaustion. A July 1987 Beech A60 crash (LAX87FA257) killed two after the NTSB found the pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed on final approach.

Among serious-injury accidents, the 1994 Piper PA-28 accident at Sonoma County Airport (LAX94LA136) is notable: the NTSB found a flight instructor was struck by a propeller after exiting an aircraft with the magneto switch in the on position. A magneto in the on position means the engine can fire at any rotation of the propeller. An instructor who exits an aircraft without verifying the magneto is in the off position, or who fails to instruct the student to verify the same, has created a foreseeable and lethal hazard on the ramp. Flight schools have an independent obligation to train and enforce ramp safety procedures under Civil Code § 1714.

Liability at Santa Rosa

County of Sonoma as Airport Operator

Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport is operated by the County of Sonoma, 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 Sonoma 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.

Commercial Airline Liability at STS

Commercial regional carriers operating scheduled service at STS are common carriers under Public Utilities Code § 2100, held to the utmost care and diligence standard under Public Utilities Code § 2101. Passengers aboard commercial flights at STS who sustain injuries from turbulence, hard landings, cabin incidents, or inflight equipment failures have claims against the carrier under the common carrier standard.

Flight School Ramp Safety

The 1994 propeller-strike accident (LAX94LA136) raises the question of flight school liability beyond the individual instructor. Flight schools operating at STS have an institutional duty to train, supervise, and enforce ramp safety procedures. A school whose instructors routinely exit aircraft without verifying magneto position has a systemic safety failure, not an individual one. That systemic failure is relevant to punitive damages and to the school's direct liability alongside the individual instructor.

Filing Deadlines for Santa Rosa Aviation Claims

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

Related Pages

Attorney Michael Rehm represents aviation accident victims in Santa Rosa 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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