I adjusted myself in my seat and fastened the seatbelt as soon as I heard the flight attendant saying, "Please fasten your seatbelts; make sure your seat back is in the upright position and mobile devices are switched to airplane mode. In case of emergency, you will find life jackets under your seats and oxygen masks will automatically drop when needed. Should you require any assistance, the flight crew is at your service throughout the flight. Enjoy your flight". A few minutes later, the plane took off, embarking on its journey through the vast sky towards its destination.
Aircraft Accidents Worldwide
The estimated odds of an aircraft accident are one in every 1.2 million flights, while the chances of a complete aircraft loss are one in 11 million flights. This highlights the safety of aviation as a convenient and swift international means of transportation, traversing oceans and continents. Nevertheless, this does not negate the fact that an aviation accident—regardless of its rarity, occurring once in a million or more flights—has a profound impact on people, because surviving a plane crash is nearly impossible.
Top Aviation Accidents that Improved Safety Measures
Aviation accidents are numerous, some of which have led to modifications and enhancements to aircraft safety measures; here are a few examples:
- South African Airways Flight 295
On 28 November 1987, the Boeing 747-200BM Combi aircraft took off from Taipei, en route to Johannesburg. Approximately nine and a half hours after takeoff, a fire erupted in the cargo compartment on the main deck, leading to a total loss of control. The aircraft broke apart in the air and then crashed into the Indian Ocean with no survivors.
The exact reason for the fire was not identified, though an electrical fault on the aircraft is considered the most probable cause. Since the accident, South African Airways (SAA) stopped using the Combi aircraft due to safety concerns about the security of the cargo compartment.
- TWA Flight 800 from New York to Paris
In July 1996, a Boeing 747-100, en route from John F. Kennedy Airport to Paris on TWA Flight 800, tragically exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. Investigations revealed that the cause of the accident was an explosion in one of the fuel tanks.
This incident led to the imposition of stricter regulations concerning fuel tank design and maintenance, including prohibition of ignition sources within fuel tanks. Additionally, new guidelines were issued regarding aircraft airworthiness and pre-flight checks.
On 24 March 2015, a Germanwings Airbus A320 crashed en route from Barcelona to Düsseldorf after the co-pilot locked himself inside the cockpit. Investigations revealed that the co-pilot suffered a depressive disorder several months before the incident; yet, he avoided consulting specialists due to probable fear of losing his job.
Following the incident, regulations were issued to ensure the presence of at least two people in the cockpit at all times. Moreover, 11 recommendations were put forth to enhance psychological evaluations of pilots and ensure their mental well-being before takeoff.
- Tenerife Airport Disaster
The Tenerife disaster is still considered the worst aviation accident in history. On 27 March 1977, several flights were rerouted from Gran Canaria Airport to Los Rodeos Airport in Tenerife, which was not equipped to accommodate the influx of aircraft, given its limited space and single runway for both takeoffs and landings.
As the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747, carrying 248 passengers, was scheduled to take off, a Pan American World Airways Boeing 747, carrying 396 passengers, was preparing to land on the same runway. Due to a dense fog that day, the reliance on naked-eye observation from the control towers obscured the controllers' ability to perceive the situation. A miscommunication led to a fatal collision on the runway, resulting in 583 fatalities.
This incident was a major catalyst for the revision of aviation safety measures, primarily: the adoption of English as the universal language of communication between air traffic controllers and pilots; the employment of standardized phrases; the avoidance of ambiguous terminologies; and the implementation of advanced surveillance technologies.
Conclusion
Aviation is an excellent means of transport for both passengers and cargo; it is the fastest, easiest, and most convenient. Despite its tremendous safety record, continuously updating its safety measures can ensure even safer and more reliable flights.
References