Recent aviation incidents such as the crash of Asiana Airlines flight 214 and disappearance of MH370 cause people to wonder if aviation is still safe. Some say that the taxi ride to the airport is more dangerous than the flight; however, others fear the dangers flying may bring. Although pilot error, pilot fatigue, and mechanical failures contribute to the danger of aviation, new aircraft systems and improved safety measures continue to sustain the high standards of the safety of aviation.
On July 6, 2013, Asiana Airlines flight 214 crash landed just short of the threshold of San Francisco International Airport’s runway 28L. Flight 214’s tail struck the seawall in front of the runway. The aircraft then spun around, breaking into sections of flame. Such a dramatic crash resulted in 200 passengers with injuries and three deaths among the 288 passengers and 16 crew members on board the fatal flight (Jansen). Less than a year later, the disappearance of M370 alarms the nation of Malaysia and many other countries. These recent, unfortunate occurrences cause many to question the safety of aviation, and further information supports the fear of these individuals.
Pilot error contributes to many aviation commotions. For example, one of All Nippon Airways’ Boeing 737-700 jetliners terrified its passengers when it almost flipped over in mid-air. While trying to unlock the cockpit door, the co-pilot of this flight mistook the rudder trimmer for the "unlock" switch. Deflecting the rudder to the left, the pilot caused the plane to roll 130 degrees (Japan’s All Nipon Airways). After their investigations on Asiana Airlines flight 214, the National Transport Safety Board, NTSB, concluded that the Boeing 777 crashed due to pilot error performed...
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...s of Qantas Head-On Collision.” The Australian 25 Sept. 2013, sec. 8.1: 8. Print.
Hersman, Deborah A.P. “Is the Federal Aviation Administration Making Sufficient Progress on Safety Initiatives?” Congressional Digest 92.6 (2013): 18-30. Print.
Huerta, Michael P. “Is the Federal Aviation Administration Making Sufficient Progress on Safety Initiatives?” Congressional Digest 92.6 (2013): 12-18. Print.
Jansen, Bart. “Pilot of Asiana 214 Stressed by San Francisco Approach.” USA Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.
“Japan’s All Nippon Airways Nearly Flips Over Mid-Air Due to Pilot Error.” International Business Times. N.p., 30 Sept. 2011. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.
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“Sleepy Air Canada Pilot Dives Plane; 16 injured.” The Associated Press: n. pag. Abstract. Print.
Handling and operating an airplane comes with great risk, but these risks that are present are handled with very different attitudes and dealt with in different ways depending on the environment the pilots are in.
After 9/11 there was a great increase in security nationwide. One major example of this is the number of agencies created as a result of 9/11. Among these agencies include the creation of the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), the DHS (The Department of Homeland Security), the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and lastly the massive advancement of the US Coast Guard. Every one of the budgets of these agencies has doubled since 9/11. The creation of the transportation and security administrations primary goal is to improve the safety of all American Citizens traveling by plane. The TSA started implementing, new policies and new technological advancements.
Seaney, Column By Rick, and Ceo Of Farecompare. "Post 9/11 Flight Security: When Increased Safety Isn't More Effective." ABC News. ABC News Network, 09 Sept. 2011. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.
It is very sad that it took two tragic and deadly accidents to make a significant change in the way aviation was regulated. The incidents that led to the creation of the bill that created the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 could have been prevented if safety precautions had been put in place sooner. Unfortunately, the aviation industry was only reactive rather than proactive when it came to airline safety. Nowadays, the private and commercial aviation safety is much more proactive and safety is the number one priority. FAA regulation has not only help aviation become one the top modes of transportation, but also one of the safest in the
The FAA’s failure to inspect and report malfunctions caused 26 cases of uncontained disk/spacers. Also 10 cases of uncontained blades, 9 reversers, 9 fires in the undercowl, 6 engine separations, 6 case ruptures and 1 cowl separation. Airworthy planes that fly into terrain are the leading cause of accidents. Pilots do not know where they are going in relation to the ground but the aircraft is under control. It has killed 2,396 people from 1987 to 1996. Statistics show that U.S. carriers are the safest in the world. However the Safer Skies program by NASA predicts by the year 2010 there will be 6 or 7 catastrophic accidents per year if changes are not made soon (Hilkovitch 4). The FAA acquired a reputation as the tombstone agency because it only addresses dangerous scenarios after fatal air disasters occur.
Elias, Bartholomew. "Aviation Security: Outlook." Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 2 May 2014.
On February 12, 2009, a Colgan Airlines flight operating as Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed two miles from the runway in Buffalo, New York, killing all fifty people aboard.. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation that followed stunned the American public and identified the need to closely examine the regulations governing pilot training and pilot rest requirements, with a strong focus on regional airlines (Berard, 2010, 2). Currently, the United States government has passed HR 5900, which was titled the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 and is now called Public Law 111-216 (Public Law 111-126, 2010, 3). The bill targets five focal points that will force the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to run an even safer operation. These focal points include creating a pilot record database, implementation of NTSB flight crewmember training recommendations, FAA rule making on training programs, pilot fatigue, and flight crewmember screening and qualifications (Berard, 2010, 4).
Final Report No. 1793 by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. (n.d.). Retrieved from skybrary: http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/989.pdf
A.P. HERSMAN, CHRISTOPHER A. HART, and ROBERT L. SUMWALT. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), 6 May 2010. Web. 19 July 2010. .
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The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2011 prompted the world to reevaluate and drastically modify airport and airline security. “Four targets had been chosen, all iconic American buildings that would send a clear message of the depth of their hatred for the United States. All four planes crashed, killing all on board—terrorists, crew members, and passengers, along with hundreds who were killed inside the structures, on the ground, and the men and women who ran into collapsing buildings in an effort to try and save others” (Smutz 1). As Jason Villemez said “the decade after the 9/11 attacks reshaped many facets of life in America” (Villemez 1). Before the attacks, people did not think that large scale hostility towards innocent people in our country was remotely possible. Ever since that fateful moment, citizens in America are on their toes every day worrying about another attack happening. United States citizens have had to adapt and change in response to this fear of further terrorist assault on our country. One of the ways they have adapted is by changing their means of security concerning airline travel.
...ing dangerous icing conditions. Flight is an amazing science that will only get safer as time goes on.
... problem are under constant development and analysis, in a hope to avoid these situations. The civilian industry continues to lead in development due to commercialization, with the military not far behind. The only real deficiency in CRM program development seems to be the area of general aviation as described earlier. Until this problem is addressed, there will still be a glaring weakness in the general area of aviation safety. However, with the rate of technology increase and cheaper methods of instruction, we should begin to see this problem addressed in the near future. Until then, aviation will rely on civil commercial aviation the military to continue research and program development for the years to come, hopefully resulting in an increasingly safe method of travel and recreation.
Through the years, as aircraft have become more complex, and numerous threats to aviation safety have been identified, a culture of unwavering professionalism and safety consciousness have become engrained into the ethical framework of aviation organizations. Since the initial establishment aviation operational and safety standards, multiple civilian and military aviation organizations have continuously contributed efforts towards looking for new and innovative ways to raise the bar on efficiency of flight operations and aviation safety through CRM. CRM is a vital tool to improving safety in aviation organizations and i...
Being involved in an airplane accident is a nightmare scenario for any air travelers, crew and pilots alike. Statistically air travel is among the safest means of transport, but at the same time it is also associated with sporadic accidents that have proven to be extremely terrifying ordeals for all those involved due to a vast array of reasons. The causes of these accidents are of varying nature and depend on some problems that are originated during some stage of the flight process.