It is a truism that flying is the safest way to travel, and statistically speaking, that is true. However, air travel still carries significant risks, and aviation accidents happen all the time, although not necessarily how people think. Here are five common misconceptions that people have about aviation accidents:

  1. Plane crashes are generally survivable
    • Many people tend to think that if they get into an accident in an airplane or helicopter, they will likely die. However, this is far from the truth, with survival rates from airplane accidents sitting at around 95%. Provided you keep your seatbelt or other safety restraints on, you are reasonably likely to survive aviation accidents.
  2. Aviation accidents mostly involve small planes
    • When people think of aviation accidents, they typically think of large passenger planes going down with people in them. However, the vast majority of these accidents tend to involve much smaller planes, which are often owned and piloted by private individuals and smaller companies. These smaller planes tend to have less experienced pilots, and more inconsistent maintenance, placing them at greater risk of an accident compared to passenger jets.
  3. Many planes can land with an engine down
    • Some people fear that, if an engine on a plane ceases to function, the plane will automatically go down. However, most planes can continue to fly on only one engine, and many planes can simply glide if they lose all their engines. However, it still takes a skilled pilot to handle these sorts of emergencies to prevent them from getting worse.
  4. Turbulence cannot normally cause crashes
    • Turbulence can be incredibly scary to go through when you are on a flight. However, generally speaking, turbulence is not a cause for concern, and rarely factors into the likelihood of aviation accidents. So long as the pilot is skilled and there is no other sign of inclement weather or poor flying conditions, turbulence is nothing to be worried about.
  5. Pilot skill is essential for safe flights
    • There are some people who think that, thanks to autopilot technology, planes can simply “fly themselves” without need for pilots in most circumstances. However, this is not the case, and pilots must always be attentive during the flight. A pilot who becomes lax during a flight can dramatically increase the risk of aviation accidents.

 

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.