It seems the media is constantly reporting about problems in the aviation industry, whether near-misses on the runway, airplanes landing on roads, or malfunctioning airplane parts.
However, tens of thousands of flights occur each day with no incidents.
Still, how many aviation accidents occur, and what causes them?
The safest way to travel
Compared with other modes of transportation, traveling by air is the safest. Over 16,000,000 flights occur annually in the United States, and the percentage of accidents that occur each year is almost too small to calculate (.007%). Of those accidents, 80% can be attributed to human error, including:
- Failing to preplan
- Fuel mismanagement
- Not obtaining or maintaining flying speed
- Not seeing and avoiding objects
- Making wrong inflight decisions
- Not maintaining direction control
- Inability to operate flight controls
Given the significant role human error plays in aviation accidents, it is crucial to implement strategies to mitigate it, such as:
- Training and education
- Making use of technology consisting of autopilot systems, advanced navigation tools and warning systems
- Fatigue management, including enforcing time limitations and ensuring adequate rest periods
It’s important to remember that it’s not only pilots who make errors. In aviation, human error could mean a variety of things, from miscommunication between the flight crew to incorrect aircraft handling by pilots or even maintenance staff overlooking a critical component during routine checks.
But if you or a loved one were injured in an aviation accident because of human error, it’s crucial to understand that you may be able to receive compensation. Discuss your situation with someone who can review your case and assist you with the process.