At first view, an aircraft accident in bad weather might suggest pilot error. Not to the attorneys at Aviation Law Group. When an aircraft accident involves a qualified and experienced pilot flying a new aircraft in weather conditions sufficient for safe flight, we wonder what really happened.
On March 30, 2024, at approximately 18:40 PDT, a Daher (formerly Socata) TBM700N (TBM 900) crashed killing both occupants while attempting to perform a missed approach procedure following an unsuccessful RNAV (GPS) instrument approach to runway 20 at the Truckee Airport (KTRK) in Truckee, California.
The pilot, Liron Petrushka and his wife Naomi Petrushka, were identified as the victims by Israeli media. The Petrushkas were tech investors and entrepreneurs, and Liron was a former Israeli professional soccer player. The deaths of Liron and Naomi leave behind three children. Our hearts go out to the children, extended family and loved ones of the Petrushkas.
Las Vegas – McCarran International (LAS / KLAS) USA – Nevada, November 29, 2015
Photo: Tomás Del Coro
The Socata TBM700N aircraft (N960LP) was manufactured in 2022 and owned by AvRam Enterprises LLC. The single engine turboprop aircraft departed from Centennial Airport (KAPA) enroute to the destination of Truckee.
The TBM700N marketed as a TBM 900 as of March 2014, is a high-performance pressurized aircraft with advanced aerodynamics and avionics. Based on Aviation Law Group’s initial research, the TBM700N has a very good safety record with 90 incidents since 1991, and only three fatal accidents since 2014.
Weather conditions at the time of accident indicate visibility of 1/2-3/4 mile with light to moderate snowfall and overcast skies with bases ranging from 700 feet to 900 feet above the ground. The required visibility to perform the RNAV approach to runway 20 at KTRK requires at least one statute mile visibility. According to radio transmissions archived by LiveATC.net, air traffic controllers in Oakland, who were in control of the airspace over Truckee, were in discussions with Petrushka about the weather for several minutes prior to the aircraft commencing the RNAV approach.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the accident. The NTSB will look to the weather conditions at the time of the accident, the experience of the pilot, the interactions with air traffic control, the aircraft performance, all to determine the probable cause of the accident. However, under federal law the NTSB probable cause determination is not admissible as evidence in separate legal proceedings. Aviation Law Group’s own investigations into aircraft accidents often support causes different than the NTSB probable cause conclusions.
Aviation Law Group’s attorneys are discussing what could have caused the Truckee accident as it involves what appears to be an experienced pilot, familiar with the airport, in a very capable aircraft, in challenging but not unmanageable weather conditions. ALG’s attorneys believe that further inquiry into the interaction between the pilot and air traffic control will be insightful as to why the aircraft attempted an instrument approach when the weather at the airport did not meet the required visibility to perform such approach. Another consideration is whether all the aircraft systems were working properly shortly before the accident.
Aviation Law Group (ALG) is a law firm with attorneys licensed in California, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska, and Florida with offices in Washington State, Florida, and Hawaii that limits its law practice to only aviation accident cases. For over 30 years, the attorneys at Aviation Law Group have litigated complex aviation accidents for victims and victims’ families.
ALG attorney Christopher Rusing leads the Florida office located in Jupiter, Florida, and is licensed to practice law in Florida, Washington, and in Federal Court.