If a family member dies in a plane crash, the nearest adult relative should retain a law firm that specializes in aircraft crash cases. That law firm should immediately send a letter to the aircraft insurer, demanding that it retain the wreckage in a secured, indoor facility because the wreckage is essential evidence. The law firm should obtain all of the airplane logbooks and records and the law firm should immediately assemble an accident investigation team of qualified expert witnesses. This should happen as soon as practical to make sure that all deadlines and statutes of limitation are preserved and tolled and to make sure the evidence is preserved.