Deadly Air Crashes Raise Questions About Aviation Safety
Two devastating plane crashes in the last week of 2024 have left hundreds dead, raising concerns about aviation safety. Despite these tragedies, data shows flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation.
On Christmas Day (Wednesday), an Azerbaijan Airlines flight went down near Aktau, Kazakhstan. The crash killed at least 38 of the 67 passengers. This incident follows a similar tragedy in 2014, when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down, claiming 298 lives.
Another fatal crash occurred on Sunday at Muan International Airport in South Korea. A Jeju Air plane veered off the runway and struck a fence, killing 179 of the 181 people onboard. Two Thai nationals were among the victims.
Air Travel Safety Record
Despite these accidents, air travel still maintains a strong safety record. A report by Boeing highlights fewer than 1,000 deaths in commercial aviation over the past decade.
Data from the International Civil Aviation Organisation and Commercial Aviation Safety Team outlines accident causes over the last 10 years:
Loss of control: 8 incidents, 707 deaths
System malfunctions: 2 incidents, 158 deaths
Runway issues: 5 incidents, 131 deaths
Fuel problems: 1 incident, 71 deaths
Weather: 1 incident, 9 deaths
Ice formation: 1 incident, 12 deaths
Ground handling errors: 3 incidents, 3 deaths
Mid-air collisions: 1 incident, 7 deaths
Take-off/landing obstacles: 1 incident, 5 deaths
Runway encroachment: 3 incidents, 5 deaths
Engine failures: 1 incident, 1 death
Other causes: 1 incident, 1 death
Accident Timing
Breakdowns of accident phases reveal specific risks during certain stages of flights:
Departure and climb: 3 incidents, 347 deaths
Cruising: 3 incidents, 278 deaths
Take-off: 4 incidents, 174 deaths
Final approach: 2 incidents, 100 deaths
Landing: 10 incidents, 91 deaths
Descent: 1 incident, 71 deaths
Initial climb: 2 incidents, 17 deaths
Taxiing/pre-flight: 3 incidents, no deaths
Regional Impact
Accident statistics by region show varied impacts worldwide:
Asia: 7 incidents, 534 deaths
Europe/North Atlantic: 6 incidents, 173 deaths
South/East Africa: 1 incident, 157 deaths
North America: 6 incidents, 119 deaths
South America: 3 incidents, 74 deaths
Middle East: 3 incidents, 64 deaths
Central/West Africa: 2 incidents, 15 deaths
While these figures highlight areas of concern, industry data reinforces that air travel continues to rank among the safest transportation options worldwide.
