Aviation Accident Attorney in Dallas

Engineering Insight. Medical Depth. Over 60 Years of Trial Experience.

Aviation accidents are among the most catastrophic personal injury events a family can face. For those in Dallas and the surrounding DFW Metro area, Marchand Law provides focused legal guidance for individuals and families pursuing complex aviation accident claims. Our firm is led by a husband-and-wife team with over 60 combined years of experience, and we offer strategic, compassionate representation for people injured in aviation-related incidents. As seasoned Dallas personal injury lawyers, we understand the stakes involved when aviation failures lead to catastrophic harm.

Most aviation cases involve highly technical investigations and multiple potential defendants, including airlines, aircraft owners, maintenance contractors, manufacturers, and, in some situations, government entities. For a family in Dallas suddenly facing an NTSB investigation or contact from an airline’s claims department, it can be difficult to know what to say or do. Speaking with an aviation accident attorney early can help preserve critical evidence, avoid costly mistakes with insurers, and clarify filing obligations before deadlines pass.

If you’ve been affected by an aviation accident, contact us today. Fill out our online contact form or call us at (903) 345-1807 for experienced representation.

Why David Marchand’s Engineering Background Changes Aviation Cases

Most aviation accident attorneys hire outside engineers to explain what went wrong. David Marchand was an aeronautical design engineer before he attended law school. He holds an M.S. in Aerodynamics from Georgia Institute of Technology’s Guggenheim School of Aeronautics, and before practicing law, he worked at North American Aircraft, focusing on computational fluid dynamics and wind tunnel testing of advanced military aircraft. He was one of the original aerodynamic designers of the X-31A experimental fighter aircraft and managed teams of engineers and scientists on NASA-funded supersonic flight tests at Edwards Air Force Base.

What That Engineering Background Enables in a Case

That background isn’t a credential to cite in a bio. It’s a working capability. David can read flight data, maintenance records, and software failure evidence directly, examining cockpit design, flight control systems, and human factors without depending solely on third-party experts to interpret what he’s looking at. He has handled cases involving airplane crashes, defective jet engines, and flight control software as a trial attorney for more than 30 years. When a case turns on a software anomaly in a flight control system or a disputed maintenance log, that experience can make the difference between asking the right questions and missing the issue entirely.

Leanna Marchand’s Nursing Background & Personal Representation

Leanna Marchand brings a complementary layer. As a former nurse with a BSN and RN background, she analyzes aviation injury records and long-term medical impact with the same directness David applies to technical evidence. Together, they cover the full arc of an aviation claim: what caused the crash and what the crash did to the person who survived it. Every case is personally handled by David and Leanna. Nothing is passed to associates.

Strategic Investigation & Complex Trial Work in Aviation Cases

Aviation accidents are notoriously complex, often involving multiple parties, extensive federal oversight, and highly technical evidence governed by agencies such as the FAA and NTSB. Our approach focuses on early, thorough investigation.

We work to secure maintenance records, flight data, crew training documentation, and other critical materials before they are lost or altered. In North Texas cases, this may include coordinating with local law enforcement, federal investigators, and airport authorities to help preserve physical evidence. We also examine applicable federal regulations and manufacturer service bulletins to determine whether safety standards were ignored or known risks went unaddressed. That groundwork helps us identify responsible parties and evaluate whether claims for catastrophic injury or other serious damages may be appropriate.

NTSB investigations typically take one to two years to produce an official report. Independent legal investigation should begin well before that report is released, both to protect evidence and to meet filing deadlines. David’s direct experience litigating cases involving defective jet engines and flight control software means we know what to look for at the outset, not after an expert finishes reviewing materials months later.

We look closely at whether the incident involved a scheduled airline, a private owner, a charter operator, or an air ambulance provider, because that distinction affects which insurance policies apply and which regulations control. We also consider whether a defective component, design flaw, or software issue may have played a role, which can bring aircraft and component manufacturers into the case as product liability defendants. This analysis can help us advise you on the scope of your claim, the likely defendants, and the steps needed to move your case forward in Dallas County or the appropriate federal court.

Types of Aviation Accident Cases We Handle in Dallas

Aviation incidents in the Dallas area arise in many different contexts, and each requires a tailored legal strategy. Commercial airline crashes and serious in-flight injuries often involve national or international regulations, while private plane or helicopter accidents may focus more heavily on maintenance practices, pilot training, or airfield operations.

We regularly assist families and injured passengers following incidents connected to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas Love Field, and Addison Airport, as well as regional general aviation airports throughout North Texas. These cases may involve runway incidents, mechanical failures, hard landings, or loss-of-control events. In-flight turbulence injuries and hard landings on commercial flights may also give rise to claims even when a crash doesn’t occur.

Air ambulance accidents present a distinct regulatory picture. These operations typically fall under federal Part 135 rules and may implicate both the aircraft operator and the healthcare system that contracted the transport. General aviation aircraft, including small planes, business jets, charter flights, and helicopters, aren’t subject to the same federal oversight as commercial air carriers, which affects both the liability analysis and the insurance coverage available. Knowing which regulatory framework applies is the first step toward identifying who is responsible.

Who May Be Liable After a Plane Crash in Dallas

Determining who is legally responsible after an aviation accident is rarely as simple as pointing to the pilot or the airline. Modern aircraft operations involve a network of companies and individuals, from maintenance providers and parts manufacturers to air traffic controllers and airport operators. In the Dallas area, that can include entities based at DFW, Dallas Love Field, or nearby general aviation airports, as well as out-of-state corporations that designed or serviced critical components.

Potential defendants in an aviation case can span a wide range:

• Pilot or flight crew for errors in judgment, fatigue, or failure to follow procedures
• Airlines and charter operators through vicarious liability when a pilot’s negligence occurred in the course of employment
• Aircraft and component manufacturers when a design flaw or manufacturing defect contributed to the accident
• Maintenance and repair facilities that overlooked known issues or failed to comply with service bulletins
• Air traffic controllers and Flight Service Station personnel through federal government claims subject to sovereign immunity rules and distinct procedural requirements under the Federal Tort Claims Act
• Airport owners and operators for negligence in ground operations or facility maintenance

To build a strong claim, we examine contracts, maintenance logs, manufacturer service bulletins, and training records to determine whether any party failed to meet required safety standards. Carefully tracing those relationships is essential to including all responsible parties in any lawsuit filed in Dallas County or the appropriate federal venue.

Some aviation cases also involve product liability theories, claims against government entities, or international treaties that affect filing deadlines and potential damage limitations. We can help you understand how these frameworks apply to your situation so you can make informed decisions about whether to pursue a claim, how far to take negotiations, and what to expect if your case goes to trial.