Ladd C. Sanger

Ladd Sanger has over 25 years of experience advising and representing clients in aviation legal matters, including crash litigation, aviation insurance coverage issues, airport use, international aviation conventions, and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations. As a pilot with experience flying both fixed-wing planes and helicopters, Ladd understands the technical aspects of aviation crashes and applies that knowledge to all his clients’ matters.

Ladd is an FAA-licensed Airline Transport Pilot with two jet-type ratings and is also a licensed helicopter pilot. He received his aircraft accident investigation training at the University of Southern California. He has handled numerous crash cases around the globe, obtaining significant settlements for those injured or for the families that lost loved ones in a tragic accident. He received a Top 50 Verdicts in Texas Award in 2019 and 2022, ranking number one in aviation accidents.

Ladd has litigated and investigated numerous cases involving all types of single and multi-piston engine, turboprop, jet and helicopter accidents including well over 200 general aviation accidents, product liability and negligence cases. Some representative examples include the Addison, Texas King Air Crash, a Pilatus PC-12 air ambulance flight, and representation of FlightSafety International in connection with claims arising out of the Wichita, Kansas King Air 200 crash. He has also litigated multiple Robinson R44 post-crash fire cases, AS-350 control systems, Cirrus avionics, and engine failure cases. Ladd has represented claimants against both the FAA and private ATC tower cases. Litigated dozens of Federal Aviation Regulation Part 125 and 121 cases domestic and international cases, including tour helicopter crashes such as Hawaii Bell 407 crash on the Big Island and multiple others on Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Oahu. Other cases include Gol Transportes Aero 1907 in Brazil, Aero Ruta Maya Caravan in Guatemala, multiple Tropic Air 208 crashes in Belize, and Southwest 1380 in New York. He gas handled
numerous Montreal Convention, Death on the High Seas Act, and Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act cases.

As a problem-solver, Ladd has litigated and tried cases in multiple jurisdictions in both state and federal court. In addition to his aviation practice, Ladd has prosecuted and tried as lead counsel products liability cases involving automobiles, as well as catastrophic personal injury cases.

For 20 years, Ladd has served on the SMU Air Law Symposium Board of Advisors, Past Chair of the American Bar Association Aviation Section on Tort and Insurance Practice, and Past Chair of the American Association for Justice Aviation Section. He is licensed to practice law in Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming, and is Board Certified in Aviation Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.