The compassionate lawyers at Pope & Howard, P.C. help families recover following catastrophic accidents
A single engine plane made an emergency landing on a beach in Venice, Florida, in late July 2014, crashing into a man and his daughter who were walking along the sand. The father, Ommy Irizarry, died at the scene, and his nine year old daughter, Oceana, was in critical condition as she was airlifted to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. She has since passed away from her injuries.
The plane was piloted by Karl Kokomoor, who radioed in to the Venice Airport at 2:45 p.m. when the Piper aircraft he was flying began having engine problems, and would not be able to make it to the airport. With a stalling engine, Kokomoor and his passenger had to make a crash-landing on the Venice beach.
The victims in the plane crash could not hear the aircraft coming, which is not unusual for a small plane experiencing engine failure. Similar crashes have occurred in the past when planes no longer have a running engine, and become inaudible.
Kokomoor released a statement saying he tried to land the aircraft as safely as he could during this emergency situation, and that he did not see the father and child walking on the beach until after landing along the surf and exiting the plane.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office investigated the scene to determine if there would be any criminal charges, and the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration were also sent to investigate the scene.
Although no criminal charges were filed, other lawsuits could ensue if claims are made against the pilot or the maker of the Piper Cherokee engine. The experienced lawyers at Pope & Howard, P.C. specialize in aviation accident claims that may occur due to:
With many years serving as counsel for major airlines, Marc Howard, partner in Pope & Howard, P.C., understands the plane crash investigation process. He and his team review all relevant NTSB reports, manufacturing reports, witness reports, and more to help those dealing with the aftermath of an aviation accident.
If an aircraft accident caused the wrongful death or injuries to you or a loved one, the expert attorneys at Pope & Howard, P.C. can help. Our expert attorneys have the knowledge and resources to win aviation cases.
Georgia Super Lawyers Geoff Pope and Marc Howard founded Pope & Howard, P.C. specializing in cases involving aviation accidents, nursing home abuse, tractor-trailer accidents, and more.Contact the Pope & Howard legal team online or by calling our office at (404) 885-9999 or (866) 910-0642 if you have suffered from the results of a plane crash.
Have a Question?
