It’s well-known that the aviation industry is safer than driving, and this is true. Plane crashes are relatively uncommon, especially among large aircraft. Statistically speaking, it is much more dangerous to drive your car during your daily commute than it is to take a plane flight across the country.
That being said, industry experts are starting to notice some evidence of strain or stress on the system. One of the main investigators in the United States, a chair on the National Transportation Safety Board, said that we can’t ignore this strain. They are noticing more near misses and close calls. They say this surge in incidents reflects the stress on the system – which could eventually lead to a major accident. In other words, it’s important to take action to address the issue before such a crash occurs.
Why is this happening?
There are many different reasons why this is occurring. For one thing, distraction and fatigue were both cited as potential reasons. Pilots or airport workers who are burned out or distracted by their devices could make mistakes or forget things.
On top of that, the investigator claimed that airports are relying more on computer-based instruction and that there hasn’t been as much meaningful training. She also noted that there had been staffing shortages, sometimes caused by irregular work schedules. Overall, this just means that well-trained individuals aren’t always available and those who cover for them may not have the same level of training and experience.
It will be interesting to see if these predictions come true and if the strain on the system leads to serious aviation incidents in the future. Those who suffer injuries need to be sure they know about their legal options.