9 Most Common Aircraft Accidents, According to Wall Street Journal

Very Interesting article. Suprised to see Turbulence as the #1 cause.

Depends on what you're thinking of when you say "accident". Most people think of some sort of impact that causes aircraft damage. According to the NTSB:

Aircraft accident means an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and all such persons have disembarked, and in which any person suffers death or serious injury, or in which the aircraft receives substantial damage. For purposes of this part, the definition of “aircraft accident” includes “unmanned aircraft accident,” as defined herein.
 
Data was pulled from The Aviation Herald (avherald.com), a very reliable source. But they pulled data on flights in or to/from the US only. Other distortions: "Tail strikes are pilot error." Ever heard of wind shear, dude?

Interesting, but...
 
Turbulence rarely causes aircraft accidents.
It does hurt people who are not tied down though. Wear your seat belt maybe.
 
Turbulence rarely causes aircraft accidents.
It does hurt people who are not tied down though. Wear your seat belt maybe.

Yup, I cringe every time I see a lap kid. Ill never understand how that is an acceptable option.
 
I'm actually curious. When was the last time turbulence caused bent metal? Off the top of my head I can't think of an accident at all, let alone an incident. I'm not talking about wind shear/microburst events, but turbulence.
 
This article lost me at, " people on the ground shining lasers at pilots thousands of miles in the air."

The next time I'm cleared up to geosynchronous orbit I'll let you know.
 
Hacker15e said:
Not exactly a scientific source or analysis....

If you're referring to 24/7 Wall Street, I'd agree completely. If you're referring to The Aviation Herald, they are a journalistic source, but a very reputable one. They report on accidents, incidents, et al, in commercial aviation world-wide, from their base in Vienna, Austria. www.avherald.com
 
This is upsetting:

"Engine failures are extremely common, according to Herbst, and pilots are regularly trained throughout their career to deal with engine problems. Many large planes are able to operate with the power of one functioning engine. “An engine fire, on the other hand, is a very serious thing,” Herbst added. “That requires the pilot to get on the ground as soon as possible.” Since 2010, only two commercial planes operated by U.S.-based airlines have experienced an accident involving an engine fire. In one case, a Delta B752 taking off from Atlanta was required to shut down its left side engine and return to the airport just 10 minutes into its flight after the engine caught on fire. Passengers were required to evacuate using the plane’s evacuation slides. In the evacuation, three passengers were injured."

I understand what this guy was aiming for, but he makes it sound like it happens on every flight, and not all yo' airliners gonna be able to fly with one engine out. :bang:
 
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