The recent plane crashes involving Boeing have brought the safety aspect of air travel into sharp focus around the world. While air travel is typically regarded as one of the safest transportation methods, these recent public aircraft accidents highlight the devastating consequences that can occur when commercial air crashes happen.
The recent particular crash prompts critical questions about aviation safety: How frequently do plane crashes actually happen? How many lives have been lost in these fatal accidents? What particular airline and which manufacturers are most often involved in most crashes?
How Safe Are Commercial Airplanes?
When looking at the overall fatal crash rate, commercial air travel is among the safest forms of transportation. Advances in technology, stringent regulatory standards, and improved training for flight crew members have significantly reduced the commercial aircraft accident rate per mile flown. Agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) enforce rigorous safety standards that contribute to this high level of safety.
The safety of major airlines depends on the type of aircraft you’re boarding. Additionally, plane crashes are much more likely in a single-engine plane. Crashes by personal planes are much more common than commercial air crashes. Almost 80% of aircraft accidents and 72% of fatal accidents involved personal, single-engine planes.
Aviation Safety Standards
Aviation safety standards ensure that airline operations adhere to the highest safety protocols. These standards encompass everything from improper maintenance and faulty aircraft design to negligent flight operations and pilot error. National and international bodies monitor compliance with these standards, ensuring that major airlines operate within strict safety guidelines.
The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in 2014 prompted a significant increase in aviation industry regulations, including better satellite tracking and improved training for crew members during forced landing and other emergency situations.
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) establishes global aviation safety standards. As a specialized agency of the United Nations, ICAO promotes the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation by setting standards and regulations for air travel safety, security, efficiency, and environmental protection.
Airline With the Best Safety Record in the World
Qantas has the best safety record in the world.
Of all the global airlines, the Australian flag carrier is frequently cited as the safest airline globally. Qantas has a remarkable reputation for safety, having no fatalities in the jet era. Known for its pioneering efforts in developing and implementing flight safety technologies, Qantas has been a leader in using the Flight Data Recorder to monitor aircraft and crew performance, helping to improve safety conditions further. Its proactive safety management strategies and operational excellence make it a standout in the aviation industry.
What Causes Commercial Air Crashes?
Pilot Error
Pilot error is the leading cause of aviation accidents. Flying an aircraft demands extensive training, a deep understanding of its mechanical workings, and the hand-eye coordination necessary to navigate safely. Additionally, pilots must be forward-thinking, planning routes, monitoring weather conditions, and preparing for potential in-flight adjustments. Failure to adequately prepare for a flight, encountering adverse weather, or not foreseeing potential problems can result in accidents. Furthermore, pilots can sometimes experience disorientation, particularly when flying in clouds under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), which may result in dangerous stalls or spins that cause crashes. In legal matters arising from such incidents, it is crucial to have an attorney who thoroughly understands aviation and piloting.
Errors by Cockpit Management and Crew Members
Air Traffic Controller Negligence
Weather Conditions
Aircraft Design Defects
Engine Failure
Improper Maintenance
When Do Most Air Crashes Occur?
Not every phase of air travel is equal. According to NTSB data, take-off and landing are when most air crashes occur.
Maneuvering
The maneuvering phase involves complex flight operations near the ground or obstacles, which can lead to aircraft accidents if mishandled.
According to the most recent data, there have been 10,275 plane crashes during this step.
Where Do Most Air Crashes Occur?
Most air crashes in the United States tend to occur near airports during the critical takeoff and landing phases. These phases involve complex maneuvers and have a higher accident rate due to the proximity to the ground and other obstacles, increasing the likelihood of collisions, runway excursions, and other plane crashes.
Small airports and rural areas can also be common sites for air crashes, especially for general aviation and private aircraft, due to varying levels of airport infrastructure and air traffic control.
Statistically, certain states with higher air traffic volumes, such as California, Texas, and Florida, report more aviation incidents. This correlation is largely due to the airlines’ flight numbers and the density of airports in these regions. In remote areas around the Alaska Airlines, the rate of air crashes is also notably higher, with most crashes occurring in Anchorage due to challenging weather conditions, difficult terrain, and the reliance on smaller aircraft for transportation.
What are Hull Losses?
Hull losses refer to an air crash in which the aircraft is damaged to such an extent that it is either beyond repair or not economically viable to repair. This term, hull losses, is primarily used in the context of insurance and aviation safety statistics related to air travel, where it signifies a severe plane crash with significant damage to the aircraft structure. Hull losses do not necessarily imply a fatal crash or even injuries; the defining factor is the damage to the aircraft.
Determining hull losses involves assessing the cost of repairs relative to the aircraft’s value. If the cost to repair the aircraft exceeds its value at the time of the particular crash, or if the structural integrity of the aircraft is compromised to a degree that cannot be safely restored, the aircraft is considered a total loss. This is similar to a car that is “totaled.”
The classification of hull losses helps airlines, insurance companies, and safety analysts to categorize and evaluate most crashes regarding economic impact and severity. Hull losses are significant indicators in the aviation industry, as they often lead to in-depth investigations aimed at preventing similar air crashes in the future.
Most Dangerous Airlines In the United States
While the U.S. maintains strict aviation safety standards, historical data indicates that some airlines have faced more safety challenges than others. This information can be critical for understanding risk factors associated with specific carriers. According to statistics, American Airlines has the most plane crashes in the United States.
Most Dangerous Airlines in the World
Globally, certain airlines have poorer safety records, often due to less rigorous safety standards or operational challenges in difficult environments. These statistics are crucial for passengers and the industry in assessing potential risks.
Air France and American Airlines have the most plane crashes, with 11 air crashes each. However, two accidents associated with American Airlines happened on September 11th, 2001. Two accidents out of the seven accidents associated with United Airlines also occurred on this day.
Here are the most dangerous airlines in the world, according to the number of plane crashes.
The following shows the global airlines and how many plane crashes the particular airline has:
1 American Airlines: 11 (eleven accidents)
2 Air France: 11 (eleven accidents)
3 China Airlines: 9 (nine accidents)
4 Korean Air: 9 (nine accidents)
5 Pakistan International Airlines: 8 (eight accidents)
6 United Airlines: 7 (seven accidents)
7 Egyptair: 6 (six accidents)
8 Ethiopian Airlines: 6 (six accidents)
9 Thai Airways: 6 (six accidents)
10 American Eagle: 5 (five accidents)
11 Continental Airlines: 5 (five accidents)
12 Lufthansa: 5 (five accidents)
Interesting statistic: American Eagle is a regional branch of American Airlines. The combined plane crashes for these two airlines are 16 accidents.
Another interesting statistic: Contental Airlines merged with United Airlines in 2012. The combined plane crashes for these two airlines are 12 accidents.
Fatal Crash Statistics by Airline
While most crashes are not considered a ‘fatal accident,’ here are some examples of air crashes that had a high number of fatalities recorded:
• Air France: June 2009, Air France Flight 477 crash-landed in the Atlantic Ocean. The fatal accident killed all 228 onboard.
• Air China: May 2002, Flight 611 disintegrated in mid-air due to improper maintenance. The fatal accident killed all 225 onboard.
• United Airlines: Sept 1965, Flight 389 crash landed in Salt Lake City. The fatal accident killed 43 of 91 passengers.
• Thai Airlines: Aug 1987, Flight 365 crash landed near Phuket. The fatal accident killed all 83 passengers.
A hostile takeover has also caused many aircraft accidents. Russian separatist forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 and Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.
United Airlines Accident Statistics
Historically, United Airlines has been involved in several fatal accidents, particularly in the earlier decades of commercial aviation. One would need to sum up the fatalities from all these incidents for an accurate total count. Key accidents include:
• United Airlines Flight 823 in 1964 with 39 fatalities.
• United Airlines Flight 553 in 1972 with 45 fatalities.
• United Airlines Flight 2860 in 1977 with 3 fatalities.
• United Airlines Flight 232 in 1989 with 112 fatalities out of 296 people on board.
• United Airlines Flight 175 and United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, were part of terrorist attacks, with all passengers and crew members on board both flights perishing.
However, there have been several nonfatal accidents related to United Airlines. Here is the timeline from March 2023-March 2024:
March 2023: There were six accidents involving United Airlines planes, according to AeroInside. One accident from Miami to Newark was avoided, as the plane was forced to return to Miami after onboard staff reported they had an engine compressor stall. In another notable incident, a United Airlines captain became incapacitated on a flight from Guatemala City to Chicago.
April 2023: There were three accidents, according to AeroInside. One accident for United Airlines includes a flight from San Diego to Chicago in which a lightning strike hit an aircraft. On one flight from Frankfurt, Germany, to Denver, the United Airlines aircraft could not retract the landing gear. On a third flight, from Hartford, Connecticut, to Washington, D.C., the window popped open on takeoff of the United Airlines flight.
May 2023: According to AeroInside, five reportable incidents involving United Airlines planes occurred in May 2023. The United Airlines’ planes experienced yet another window issue: cracked windshields. One accident included hydraulic failures, one flight had rudder issues, another flight experienced engine failure and the last flight, fire.
June 2023: There were five reportable incidents for United Airlines. One accident, on June 12, 2023, was avoided as a United Airlines aircraft heading from St. Louis to Denver was forced to land in Kansas City, Missouri, after smoke entered the cockpit.
July 2023: United Airlines had three accidents, according to AeroInside. On July 8, 2023, a passenger video emerged on social media of a fire breaking out on a United Airlines flight leaving Denver. On another United Airlines flight on July 17, 2023, the emergency slide dropped from the plane, landing in the backyard of a Chicago home.
August 2023: United Airlines had six incidents, including two engine fires.
September 2023: There were two accidents for United Airlines. On September 5, 2023, the FAA temporarily halted all flights for a little over one hour by company request, identified a “technology issue.” Then, a video posted on social media showcases sparks flashing out of a United Airlines aircraft as it diverts landing back to Newark after yet another technical issue.
October 2023: United Airlines flights reported five incidents this month. Reported incidents noted electrical issues and an oil leak from the engine.
November 2023: There were eleven reportable incidents aboard United Airlines flights. A rejected takeoff avoided one accident because of smoke on the plane. One flight had a nose gear door issue. Two accidents involved engine failure.
December 2023: There were six incidents for United Airlines this month. On December 3, 2023, one flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Norfolk, Virginia, was forced to turn back around after fuel started leaking from the aircraft.
January 2024: There were seven accidents that occured on United Airlines flights. One accident was due to loss of cabin pressure. One flight experienced a bird strike. Another flight had an engine failure, and another a cracked windshield.
February 2024: Seven accidents were reported on United Airlines flights this month. One flight due to a tail strike on departure. One accident included engine failure mid-flight. Another was struck by lightning.
March 2024: There were ten incidents reported for United Airlines this month. One flight experienced an engine fire from Houston to Fort Myers, Florida. On the same day, another flight experienced engine failure mid-flight. Another flight from Japan to San Francisco lost a tire during take-off. One flight from San Francisco to Mexico was forced to make an emergency landing in Los Angeles due to hydraulics issues. On the same day as this flight, a second incident was reported: a United Airlines plane rolled off the runway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Two accidents included forced landings due to improper maintenance. One flight arrived in San Francisco with a “small amount of smoke” caused by a hydraulic leak. One accident included a missing panel discovered upon landing. One flight bound for Osaka, Japan, was forced to land in San Francisco due to mechanical failure.
Aircraft Accidents by Airplane Manufacturer
Aside from extreme pilot error, plane models often cause most accidents. Two accidents for Boeing 737 Max planes occurred in 2018–19. These two accidents stemmed from issues related to the model’s Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System system, a flight software designed to control onboard to prevent stalls.
But which aircraft manufacturer has the most crashes? Which airplane manufacturer has the highest number of fatal crash accidents?
Airplane Manufacturer With the Most Aircraft Accidents
According to the NTSB database, most crashes involve a:
• Cessna: 56,084 plane crashes
• Piper: 35,802 plane crashes
• Beech: 12,395 plane crashes
• Boeing: 2,891 plane crashes
• Airbus: 191 plane crashes
These manufacturers have historically been the largest airplane producers for general aviation purposes.
Airplane Manufacturer With the Most Fatal Accidents
• Cessna: 8,210 fatal accidents
• Piper: 6,432 fatal accidents
• Beech: 3,002 fatal accidents
• Boeing: 282 fatal accidents
• Airbus: 21 fatal accidents
It’s important to note that the number of fatal accidents is just that. For many of these plane crashes, there was only one fatality recorded. There were also many air crashes that only had two fatalities recorded.
According to the most current information we could compile, here is the list of the number of fatalities recorded from each aircraft manufacturer:
• Cessna: 9,216 fatalities recorded
• Boeing: 9,154 fatalities recorded
• Airbus: 2,978 fatalities recorded
• DC: 2,897 fatalities recorded
• Tupolev: 1,813 fatalities recorded
These numbers do not include any fatalities recorded on “the ground”
Most Fatal Accidents in Airline History
When looking at the worst plane accidents recorded by total fatalities, many fatal accidents occurred as the result of military exercises or terrorist attacks. The Aviation Safety Network highlights the following as some of the most fatal accidents in airline operations history:
Tenerife Airport Disaster
At 12:30, a bomb exploded in the Las Palmas passenger terminal, leading to its closure due to a potential second bomb threat. Consequently, numerous flights were diverted to Tenerife, including KLM Flight 4805 from Amsterdam and PanAm Flight 1736 from Los Angeles and New York. Las Palmas reopened at 15:00, but congestion on the Tenerife taxiways delayed departures. PanAm passengers stayed on board, ready to leave, but their aircraft had to wait nearly two hours due to the KLM Boeing blocking the entrance to runway 12 for refueling and boarding.
The KLM plane eventually backtracked and was preparing for takeoff when a crucial communication mishap occurred. The Tenerife tower, aware that PanAm 1736 was still on the runway, instructed KLM to stand by, but this message was obscured by simultaneous transmissions, leading to confusion in the KLM cockpit. Despite this, the KLM aircraft commenced takeoff and collided with the PanAm plane still on the runway. The collision resulted in catastrophic damage and fatalities, largely because the KLM crew mistakenly believed they had clearance to take off—a tragic error compounded by communication failures and misinterpretations between the tower and the KLM flight crew.
• Outlined Airlines: Pan American World Airways
• Aircraft Involved: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-206B and Pan Am Boeing 747-121
• Date: March 27, 1977
• Fatality recorded: 583 (355 occupant fatalities and 248 ground fatalities)
• Survivors: 61
• Particular Crash Cause: Pilot error
How Do You Know If You Have an Aviation Accident Claim?
You may have a claim if you have suffered losses or injuries in an aviation accident. Identifying the responsible parties—whether an airline, a manufacturer, or another entity. A skilled Chicago plane crash attorney can help victims understand their rights and the legal pathways available for seeking compensation. We’ll use the fire triangle to determine negligence if applicable, and determine fair compensation for victims and their families.
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