How to Preserve Evidence After an Aviation Accident
Aviation evidence is technical and controlled by others, and it can be lost fast. This checklist helps protect what matters most.
Note the aircraft and operator
Record the aircraft's tail number, type, and the operator or owner, which identify what needs to be preserved.
Save all flight documents
Keep tickets, itineraries, communications, and anything about the flight, the operator, and the booking.
Photograph what you can access
Photograph the scene and any accessible evidence, understanding that the wreckage itself is usually secured by investigators.
Identify witnesses
Get names and contact information for witnesses and anyone else involved, while they can be found.
Act quickly with a lawyer
A lawyer can send preservation demands for the wreckage, parts, and maintenance and flight records before they are released, altered, or discarded.
The deadlines and rules depend on your state
The steps above apply wherever you were hurt. Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state — pick yours for what applies to aviation accidents.
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This is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the law differs by state.