On July 6, 2013, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash landed at San Francisco International Airport. The flight had originated in Shanghai, China, and stopped over in Seoul, South Korea. After the Boeing 777 missed its approach and struck a sea wall, three passengers were killed and more than 180 were injured.

Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board began its investigative hearing of the Asiana Flight 214 crash. The first day’s hearing lasted 11 hours, with the NTSB focusing its attention on the plane’s electronic systems and the pilot crew’s understanding of them. In his testimony, the pilot stated that he was very worried about landing the plane after finding out that an airport navigation system was out of order. He was just learning how to pilot the 777 after spending most of his career flying the Boeing 747. Without help from the glidescope indicator, the pilot was unsure whether he was flying too high or too low during his approach.

Concerns about Pilots’ Reliance on Automated Systems

A recurring theme in the NTSB hearings is expected to be the growing reliance of pilots on automated systems, particularly during takeoff and landing. Aviation experts are concerned that, with the rise of these electronic systems, pilots’ manual flying skills are eroding. In particular, the crew believed that the plane’s autothrust was engaged, when in fact it was not. This caused the plane to descend too rapidly at a slower forward speed than was necessary.

The autothrust issue has led 83 victims to file a lawsuit against Boeing and Asiana, alleging that the airplane manufacturer released a defective product that was then utilized by the airline. The plaintiffs’ attorneys claim that the autothrust system malfunctioned, indicating to the crew that it was engaged when in fact it was not. One challenge for the plaintiffs in this lawsuit will be proving causation. To be successful, they must show that, but for the defective part, the crash would not have occurred. This is particularly difficult in a situation like this where the part in question burned up in the crash.

The Role of NTSB Investigative Hearings

The NTSB generally holds hearings within six months of a major transportation accident. The hearings allow the NTSB to update the public on the progress of its investigation. They also give the NTSB the chance to gather sworn testimony from subpoenaed witnesses, related to issues that have been identified as important during the course of the investigation. The hearings in the Asiana crash began about five months after the accident.

Pursuing an Aviation Accident Claim

There are over 1,000 general aviation accidents in the United States each year, with many of them leading to legal action against airlines and airplane manufacturers. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an aviation accident, you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately. An attorney can review the facts of your case and determine whether you have a viable claim. If so, they can help you seek the compensation you deserve.