Rising Concerns Over Aviation Safety

Recent aviation incidents have raised concerns about air travel safety. Among the troubling events, a severe midair collision near Washington D.C. last month, claiming 67 lives, stands out as a particularly tragic event. In addition, a series of other incidents have occurred, including a plane crash in Toronto where the aircraft overturned on landing, another in Philadelphia that resulted in a fiery crash, and a deadly incident in Alaska killing 10 people. Recently, two small aircraft also collided in Arizona. Adding to this string of alarming events, a Southwest Airlines flight in Chicago narrowly avoided a crash as another plane unexpectedly crossed the runway, forcing the plane to abort its landing plan. Similarly, a Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport flight had to perform a go-around to avoid a potential collision with another departing aircraft.

Concerns are not unfounded when considering earlier incidents such as a Japanese Airlines plane hitting a parked Delta plane while taxiing in Seattle. Moreover, security issues surfaced with the discovery of deceased stowaways in the wheel wells of multiple planes. Alarming events continued as a United Airlines aircraft caught fire during takeoff at Houston airport, and a passenger in Boston opened an emergency exit door while the plane taxied for takeoff.

In one of the deadliest recent crashes, on January 29, an American Airlines jet collided with an Army helicopter, killing all aboard both aircraft. This was the greatest loss of life in a U.S. plane crash since November 2001, when a jet disaster occurred in New York City. After that, the U.S. had not seen a fatal airline crash until February 2009. In February, a Delta flight experienced a terrifying landing incident in Toronto, flipping onto its roof, injuring 21, but fortunately resulting in no fatalities.

Smaller planes are more frequently involved in crashes, as was the case with a single-engine Cessna crash in Alaska killing 10 and a collision of two small planes in Arizona resulting in two deaths. In Philadelphia, a tragic incident involving a medical transportation plane crash claimed six lives on board and one person on the ground. This Learjet accident produced a significant fireball when it crashed shortly after taking off.

While such tragedies understandably attract attention, they are statistically rare. U.S. airlines have an impressive safety record, highlighted by the lengthy duration between deadly crashes. However, similar tragic events have occurred globally, like a crash in South Korea in December that killed 179 people. The Boeing 737 Max jet has also been involved in fatal accidents, with two major crashes in 2018 and 2019, raising questions about the aircraft’s safety.

Federal officials have repeatedly voiced concerns over the strains on the air traffic control system, which suffers from staffing issues due to factors like non-competitive salaries, long shifts, and mandatory retirements. President Donald Trump has criticized the current air traffic system, labeling it obsolete and pledging to upgrade it.

Despite these concerns, authorities assure travelers that flying remains the safest transport mode, supported by statistics. The National Safety Council notes the low probability of airplane fatalities, while the U.S. Department of Transportation similarly indicates plane travel’s safety.

Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are underway to understand recent incidents and prevent future occurrences. Initial findings about the midair collision are emerging, though comprehensive reports from NTSB investigations may take over a year. The Board is known to give safety recommendations, yet many remain unimplemented by the industries and agencies involved.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledges public frustrations over recent crashes, emphasizing his commitment to prioritizing safety. As he oversees transportation regulation, Duffy aims for greater safety and efficiency within the country’s aviation system. He expressed confidence in improving system safety standards, ensuring better preparedness for the future.