Though statistically flying is nowadays an extremely safe form of transportation, accidents do occur. The relative rarity of such incidents coupled with the often dramatic outcome, is definitely one reason why such incidents still make breaking news across the globe. Even though the odds of actually getting caught in a plane crash are nowadays distinctly low (the odds of dying on a commercial airline flight are as low as 9 million to 1!) compared to other means of transportation, the probability of not surviving such a disaster are notably higher. And it's an open secret that a lot can go wrong at 33,000 feet above the ground, and if you’re unlucky enough to be aboard when something does, the decisions you make could mean the difference between life and death. If we look at the air disaster events of last year (i.e. 2006), it does force you to think twice while deciding about air travel.

Kenya Airways 737-800 Crashed

The Nairobi-bound Boeing 737-800 that departed from Douala airport early Saturday, an hour late because of rain, with 105 passengers and nine crew members on board had issued a distress call shortly after take-off. But then lost contact with the radio tower between 11 and 13 minutes afterwards, officials said. The wreckage was found about 12 miles southeast of Douala, along its flight path. Ironically, Kenya Airways is considered one of the safest airlines in Africa. The Douala-Nairobi flight runs several times a week, and is commonly used as an intermediary flight to Europe and the Middle East.

What Causes Air Accidents?
Approximately 80 percent of all aviation accidents occur shortly before, after, or during takeoff or landing, and are typically the result of human error and/or unregarded technical problems within an aircraft; mid-flight disasters are rare but not entirely unheard of. Among other things, the latter have been caused by bombs as in the 1988 Lockerbie incident, mid-air collisions such as in the 2002 Überlingen crash, structural failure as in the 1954 Comet disasters and 1988 Aloha Airlines incident, or in cases of (purportedly) mistaken identity where civilian aircraft were shot down by military (compare Korean Air Flight 007).

An accident survey of 2,147 aircraft accidents from 1950 through 2004 determined the causes to be as follows:

• 45%: Pilot error


• 33%: Undetermined or missing in the record


• 13%: Mechanical failure


• 7%: Weather


• 5%: Sabotage (bombs, hijackings, shoot-downs)


• 4%: Other human error (air traffic controller error, improper loading of aircraft, improper maintenance, fuel contamination, language miscommunication etc.)


• 1%: Other cause

A study by Boeing determined the primary cause of Airline hull loss accidents (worldwide commercial jet fleet), from 1996 through 2005, to be:

• 55%: Flight Crew error


• 17%: Airplane


• 13%: Weather


• 7%: Misc./Other


• 5%: ATC


• 3%: Maintenance

Top 10 Airline Safety Tips (by Airsafe.com)
Let us also look at how we could work towards minimizing the air travel risks.

• Fly on Nonstop Routings
  
  Most accidents occur during the takeoff, climb, descent, and landing phase of flight so flying nonstop would reduce exposure to these most accident prone phases of flight.


• Choose Larger Aircraft
  
  Currently, aircraft with more than 30 passenger seats were all designed and certified under the strictest regulations. Also, in the unlikely event of a serious accident, larger aircraft provide a better opportunity for passenger survival.


• Pay Attention to the Preflight Briefing
  
  Although the information seems repetitious, the locations of the closest emergency exits may be different depending on the aircraft that you fly on and seat you are in.


• Keep the Overhead Storage Bin Free of Heavy Articles
  
  Overhead storage bins may not be able to hold very heavy objects during turbulence, so if you or another passenger have trouble lifting an article into the bin, have it stored elsewhere.


• Keep Your Seat Belt Fastened While You are Seated
  
  Keeping the belt on when you are seated provides that extra protection you might need if the plane hits unexpected turbulence.


• Listen to the Flight Attendants
  
  The primary reason flight attendants are on an aircraft is for safety, so if one of them asks you to do something like fasten your seat belts, do it first and ask questions later.


• Don't Bring Any Hazardous Material
  
  There are rather long lists of hazardous materials that are not allowed, but common sense should tell you that you shouldn't bring gasoline, corrosives, poisonous gases, and other such items on the aircraft unless they were allowed by the airline and shipped in a proper container.


• Let the Flight Attendant Pour Your Hot Drinks
  
  Flight attendants are trained to handle hot drinks like coffee or tea in a crowded aisle on a moving aircraft, so allow them to pour the drink and hand it too you.


• Don't Drink Too Much
  
  The atmosphere in an airliner cabin is pressurized to about the same altitude as Denver, so any alcohol you consume will affect you more strongly than at sea level. Moderation is a good policy at any altitude.


• Keep Your Wits About You
  
  In the unlikely event that you are involved in an emergency situation such as a precautionary emergency evacuation, follow the directions of the flight attendants and flight crew and exit the aircraft as quickly as possible.

Related Articles:

• Interesting article on Surviving Plane Crash at Wikihow.com
• Want more information on Airline Crashes? Check Planecrashinfo.com
• Boeing Survey Indicates Most Air Travelers Feel Safe
• Are the skies safe enough?
• Fatal Boeing 737 Events
• Aviation Safety Network (get the latest news/updates on Air Incidents)

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