A fatal plane crash in Fort Worth, TX, resulted in the deaths of two people after crashing into parked semi-trailers in a parking lot. Unfortunately, this was not the only one of its kind to happen over the weekend, with three small plane crashes happening in the span of two days. These tragedies highlight the dangers faced by pilots of small planes, and the growing safety issues that have made air travel more perilous.

Two Dead in Fort Worth Plane Crash

Two people have reportedly died after a plane crash that occurred on Sunday, October 12, at around 1:30 PM. The plane crashed with multiple trucks, including 18-wheelers, causing them to catch fire. The victims of the crash have not yet been identified, and the cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Growing Issues With Aviation Accidents

Unfortunately, this sort of accident is not as uncommon as it should be. At least three small plane crashes occurred over the same weekend, including one in Dartmouth, MA that resulted in the deaths of a married couple. These incidents have raised increasing concerns about how safe air travel may be, especially for small plane owners who are at a significantly higher risk of getting into an accident, compared to commercial airline pilots.

Factors Contributing to Safety Problems

Some of the issues that are leading to these safety problems have been an ongoing problem for years, including shortages of air traffic safety controllers and budget cuts to agencies like the FAA. In addition, airports are more congested than ever before, especially in large cities where the risk of collisions are far greater. There is also an issue with some pilots either failing to keep up their flight hours, failing to keep up maintenance on their planes, or both, increasing the chances of an accident due to pilot error or mechanical failures.

Protecting Yourself Against Avoidable Accidents

If you are a pilot who wants to minimize the risk of a small plane accident, there are a few steps you can take. First, always make sure to keep your plane well-maintained, and check periodically for product recalls that may require you to swap out defective parts. Second, do not fly if you are tired, sick, or otherwise not in good condition to control your plane. Finally, stay constantly alert to conditions around you, even on the ground, and do your best to remain calm if you find yourself in an emergency situation.