The deadly crash of a Boeing B-171 during a 1935 test flight gave birth to the use of checklists by pilots, flight attendants, and ground crews. The crash occurred when the aircraft stalled shortly after takeoff. After the crash, an investigation revealed that the pilot failed to release an elevator lock before takeoff making the plane unresponsive to pitch2 control. To prevent future failures, it was suggested that B-17 pilots use a pre-flight checklist to assure that all systems were operational before takeoff. Checklists have since spread beyond aviation to construction, education, healthcare, and manufacturing. This article provides tips and resources for lawyers who want to use legal checklists to avoid problems. Continue reading “Using Checklists to Avoid Problems”