By definition, when an aircraft crashes, parts of the airplane or helicopter are broken. The question – one that investigators and attorneys must answer – is whether a particular part broke because of the crash or whether the aircraft crashed because the part broke.

That’s where metallurgy and metallurgy failure analysis come into play. Metallurgy is the science that studies the physical and chemical makeup of metals, their structure, and the combination of different metallic compounds.

Metallurgy failure analysis involves understanding whether the “recipe” for certain metallic alloys used to make aircraft parts was the right one or whether it made for weaker parts that failed, causing the accident.

It’s important information to know. Because once plaintiffs’ lawyers find the broken parts, then they’re likely to sue the manufacturer, even before any analysis of the metallurgy has been completed.

In those instances, it’s important to have a law firm on your side that understands aviation and metallurgy and has defended companies in similar situations before. Rose•Walker is that law firm.