Aviation incidents are, overall, relatively rare. Typically, most flights reach their destination without any significant challenges or delays. However, issues ranging from improper instructions by air traffic control to extreme turbulence can result in passengers ending up hurt.
Incidents are quite rare in the commercial aviation sector. Sizable planes transporting large numbers of people are subject to many federal regulations, which does help diminish the overall risk of a serious incident. Smaller planes are more inclined to have in-flight incidents, but even then, chartered flights are still relatively safe. When looking at long-term data from aviation incidents, certain trends start to become apparent. For example, most aviation incidents occur during one of three high-risk activities.
When taxiing on a runway
Airplanes are far closer to one another when still on the ground than they usually ever are in the air. An airplane taxiing or rolling on its wheels toward the appropriate Runway may have to cross paths with numerous other inbound and outgoing flights. All it takes is a tiny issue with communication for two planes to end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Taxiing on runways is therefore a high-risk but necessary activity in the aviation sector.
During takeoff
Numerous factors all have to come together perfectly for an airplane to safely leave the ground. The pilots have to get the plane up to an appropriate speed. They have to maneuver mechanical components on the plane to make use of that speed and thrust. They also have to retract the landing gear and bring the plane up to a safe cruising altitude while following the planned flight path carefully. Quite a few incidents occur during the takeoff process because of mechanical issues or mistakes by the people controlling the airplane.
During a final descent
Landing a plane is perhaps the most nerve-wracking part of the flight for those in control of the airplane. They have to control their descent and bring down the plane’s speed rapidly after making contact with the runway. The uneven distribution of weight among the wheels during touchdown or an inappropriately fast descent could lead to an incident where people end up severely injured.
Most airplane incidents do not occur mid-flight, but rather at the very beginning or end of a flight. Those injured on commercial airplanes or smaller, chartered planes may need help pursuing compensation after an aviation incident. People hurt due to an aviation incident be able to seek compensation for their losses after establishing who was at fault.