The most dangerous moment usually takes place when going down...
American aircraft manufacturer boeing has analyzed all the commercial flights that have made devices of more than 27,000 kilos since from 2007 to 2016 . The objective? Unravel one of the greatest mysteries for the hypochondriac: the moment of flight in which the most accidents.
The results show the fact that the 48% of all fatal accidents occur during the final descent and subsequent landing (24% chance in each of the phases) . This is quite a high figure if we take into account that the next highest percentage occurs during the flight itself -in the so-called 'cruise' phase-, and amounts to only eleven%.
Now you can worry knowingly
The 10% of mishaps that follows occurs in a phase quite unexpected for its apparent safety, since the plane remains on the ground. We talk about the loading, unloading, trailer, taxi and parking. The next 8% happens in the initial approximation, while takeoff, first lift and lift proper -when the flaps are raised- each load with a 6% of fatal accidents.
However, the fact of suffering these mishaps does not necessarily imply that affect passengers. Thus, for example, during the stage of loading, unloading, etc., which had a 10% chance of ending in an accident, no damage was recorded on board. And yet, in the cruise phase, although only 11% of accidents occur, there is a 22% chance that they have negative implications for users. It is easily seen in the following graph:
Fatal accidents and deaths on board by phase of flight
BUT DO NOT SPREAD PANIC...
What the plane is the safest means of transport that exists is not a common place: it is a completely true fact. According to the United States National Security Council, there is only one 0.1% chance to die in the air . The number is encouraging in general, but it is even less frightening when compared, for example, with the probability of dying due to cancer or yet heart attack , which amounts to no less than one in seven.
However, to make sure you don't leave here with a bad time, we'll give you one more piece of information: last year was the safer for commercial aviation, with zero recorded passenger fatalities! And if you're still afraid of flying, don't worry: here's a guide to fly a plane in necessary case. What can go wrong...?
Flying is sewing and singing