LEWIS AND CLARK, MT, (August 08, 2024) - The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office has released the identity of one of the victims of a plane crash west of Augusta, while the remaining two victims are awaiting identification through DNA testing.
Donald Long was identified as one of the victims of an Aug. 8 plane crash in the Scapegoat Wilderness near Crown Mountain.
The recently identified victim was 46-year-old Donald Long from Gaston, Oregon.
On Aug. 8, a Cessna 182 small plane was found crashed in the Scapegoat Wilderness near Crown Mountain. Three bodies were recovered and sent to the State Crime Lab in Missoula for autopsy procedures.
Authorities said the plane departed from Pullman, Washington, and was heading towards Great Falls when it disappeared from radar. Two people near the crash site reported seeing it at around the same time and called for assistance.
The cause and manner of the crash will be announced at a later date by the medical examiner.
The National Transportation Safety Board is currently leading the investigation into possible causes for the crash.
FATAL PLANE CRASH INVESTIGATION
During its investigation, authorities will examine if any other factors played a role in the plane crash. Pilot error, mechanical failure, and defective aircraft design and manufacturing can also cause airplane crashes.
The number of people killed in plane crashes in the U.S. increased by about 13 percent in 2018, according to the NTSB. Civil aviation fatalities rose from 347 in 2017 to 393 in 2018.
Most of these crashes occur on small, private planes. The NTSB usually issues a report with the cause or causes of the plane crash. These reports are often important pieces of evidence in a lawsuit.
Candice Bond, an experienced aviation attorney, said in such cases, it is also imperative to have an investigation conducted by a seasoned lawyer to protect the family of a victim’s rights.
“Plane crashes are often complex, and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal. “An attorney can advocate for a grieving family by hiring expert witnesses and locating witnesses to the crash while working with the NTSB and other investigating agencies. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights and best interests.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of Donald Long may pursue a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims often seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “We understand just what families must go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected."
If you, a friend, or a family member have been injured at the hands of a hit-and-run or drunken driver, contact our national legal analysts Candice Bond and Stefano Formica for a free consultation for guidance
(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, are the national legal analysts for Newsline. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).