Early on the morning of August 27, 2006, Flight 5191 was cleared for takeoff at the Lexington, KY Blue Grass Airport. However, due to repaving of the runways at the Airport the taxiways had been altered, and the aircraft mistakenly lined up for departure on the incorrect runway. The runway actually used was only half the length of the intended runway, which affected the speed the aircraft was able to gain for takeoff. Because this length (3500 ft.) proved too short, the aircraft, a CRJ-200 (CL600-2B19), could not attain flying airspeed. It ran onto the grass at the end of the runway, crashed through the airport perimeter fence, and into trees before bursting into flames. There was only one survivor out of the 50 crew and passengers on board. The possible causes of the crash are still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The crash of Comair Flight 5191 proved significant for the traveling public as the crash marked the end of what has been called the “safest period in aviation history” in the United States. A major crash in the United States has not occurred since November 12, 2001 when American Airlines Flight 587 crashed into a residential area of Belle Harbor, NY shortly after takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport in Jamaica, NY. The crash claimed the lives of 265 people, 260 passengers and crew on board and five people on the ground.
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Motley Rice attorneys have many years of experience representing victims of airline disasters and have aircraft pilots and mechanics on staff. We also have French and Spanish translators on staff. If you have any questions, comments or would like to explore your legal rights as a result of this air crash, click here. |
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