NTSB Discovered Plane Engine in Fatal Crash Caused a Previous Plane Accident as Well

November 6, 2013 / 9:09 am

A year and a half after a plane crashed into a supermarket, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released an updated report indicating the engine on the plane was also used in another fatal plane crash.

Last year, a single-engine Seawind 3000 plane crashed through the roof of the DeLand Publix supermarket on International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, Florida shortly after takeoff. The 60-year-old pilot suffered third-degree burns in the crash and died a month later as a result of injuries related to the accident. A passenger in the plane and three people in the grocery store were also injured.

According to the NTSB report, the serial number of the engine installed on the Seawind 3000 was the same as that of the engine on a Piper 300 that was involved in a fatal accident in 1993. In that accident, the airplane lost partial engine power during takeoff in Big Bear City, California.

According to the report, investigators discovered wrong parts were installed. Two of the cylinders were not approved for installation on that kind of engine.

“As an accident investigator, anytime I see improper serial numbers or the wrong parts, my red flag pops up. If a cylinder fails, that is going to cause a partial or complete engine failure, and that’s what appeared to happen to the airplane,” stated retired Air Force colonel and aviation expert Robert Owen.

Aviation Litigation

Colson Hicks Eidson is among the few law firms nationwide that have tried complex products liability claims arising from aviation crashes in and outside of the U.S. Our firm has successfully litigated dozens of high profile aviation cases against major aviation companies.

Ranked among the top litigators in the country, we fight aggressively to protect injured clients and their families. To schedule a consultation with someone from our firm, do not hesitate to contact us today at 305-476-7400.

Colson Hicks Eidson – Injury Attorneys

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We are pleased to announce that four of our attorneys have been named to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation guide. Congratulations to Eleni I. Constant, Aziza F. Elayan, Zachary A. Lipshultz, and Sabrina S. Saieh.

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding work of our attorneys and the depth of talent across the firm. This recognition reflects the dedication, skill, and professionalism that Eleni, Aziza, Zach, and Sabrina bring to their clients and the firm every day.

Lawdragon selects lawyers for this guide through independent research, submissions, and peer review, recognizing attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and impact in the legal profession, typically within 15 years of graduating from law school.

Click here to read the full guide.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

Colson Hicks Eidson partner Julie Braman Kane was invited to serve on the faculty of The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section’s Advanced Trial Advocacy Course. As a faculty member, Julie worked with participants to strengthen their trial skills through hands-on instruction, demonstrations, and workshops.

The Advanced Trial Advocacy Course is an intensive, four-day program designed to refine courtroom skills. Participants engage in practical exercises, present recorded arguments, and receive individualized feedback from experienced judges and trial lawyers.

A trial lawyer with more than three decades of experience, Julie has successfully represented plaintiffs in high-stakes personal injury, commercial, and class action litigation in state and federal courts. She has secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements across a broad range of matters, including medical malpractice, personal injury, pharmaceutical litigation, class actions, and commercial disputes.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com

Colson Hicks Eidson is thrilled to announce that Zachary A. Lipshultz and Sabrina S. Saieh have been recognized as Rising Stars in the 2026 edition of Florida Super Lawyers. 

Super Lawyers uses a rigorous screening process including independent research, peer nominations, and evaluations to rate lawyers. No more than 2.5 percent of lawyers under 40 or with fewer than 10 years of practice are selected as Rising Stars.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com

Colson Hicks Eidson is thrilled to announce that Stephanie A. Casey, Joseph J. Kalbac Jr., Julie Braman Kane, and Curtis Miner have been named in the 2026 edition of Florida Super Lawyers. 

Super Lawyers uses a rigorous screening process including independent research, peer nominations, and evaluations to rate lawyers. Only 5 percent of lawyers in Florida are rated by Super Lawyers. 

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

Colson Hicks Eidson represented the Miami-Dade County School Board in reaching a comprehensive settlement with South Florida Public Media Group (SFPMG), resolving litigation concerning the governance, management, and future operation of WLRN.

The agreement formally resolves all litigation between the parties and establishes a framework for the continued growth and stability of public media in South Florida.

Among its key provisions, the settlement allows SFPMG to acquire West Palm Beach radio station WFLM – The Flame and transfer it to the School Board, expanding WLRN’s reach into Palm Beach County. The agreement also extends SFPMG’s management of WLRN and WFLM (upon acquisition) for an additional seven years and includes governance and leadership reforms designed to support the organizations’ long-term success.

The matter was handled by Roberto Martinez, Sabrina S. Saieh, and Zachary A. Lipshultz on behalf of the Miami-Dade County School Board.

The resolution reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that WLRN continues to provide trusted journalism, educational programming, and public service to communities throughout South Florida.

Media coverage includes:

Miami Herald – WLRN, school board settle legal battle. What it means for the station’s future

WLRN – Miami-Dade School Board settles lengthy legal dispute with South Florida Public Media Group

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson has once again earned a Band 1 ranking in the Chambers USA 2026 Guide for Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs in Florida – one of only four law firms in the state to receive this highest ranking. We are especially honored that five of our attorneys were individually recognized for their leadership, legal excellence, and commitment to client service.

Congratulations to Stephanie A. Casey, Julie Braman Kane, and Lewis S. “Mike” Eidson for being recognized in Florida Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs, and to Roberto Martínez and Curtis Miner, who were each recognized in both Florida Litigation: Mainly Plaintiffs and Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations.

The rankings reflect the firm’s exceptional track record of securing multimillion-dollar judgments and settlements for clients in matters involving commercial litigation, medical malpractice, products liability, class actions, multidistrict litigation, and aviation and automobile accidents.

We’re grateful to our clients and peers for their continued trust and recognition.


About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com