Many people feel anxious about flying, which has led to widespread dissemination of the claim that flying is generally safer than driving. Typically, there are tens of thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of severe injuries in the United States every year associated with motor vehicle travel. And, it is true that aviation incidents are much less common. However, when they do occur, they tend to have catastrophic consequences for the people involved.
Aviation incidents can lead to death and various permanent injuries that cause debilitating medical challenges for people who survive an incident. Technically, issues can arise at any point during a flight, but research into aviation incidents shows that transitional times are when the possibility of something going wrong is the highest.
Take-offs and landings are dangerous
It takes a lot of skill to operate a vehicle that doesn’t just roll on wheels but actively leaves the ground. Pilots undergo years of training, and the airplanes they operate are subject to very strict federal maintenance and safety requirements. Unfortunately, all it takes is one small mistake on the part of a maintenance professional, pilot or air traffic controller for something to go drastically wrong during a flight.
There are many risks during the takeoff process. The plane may not reach adequate speed, resulting in a failed takeoff attempt. Other times, taxiing on the runway might lead to a sudden encounter with another taxiing plane or one that has just landed. Miscommunication with those guiding the planes, a failure to monitor surroundings and equipment failures can all lead to tragic outcomes during takeoff.
Landings can be equally dangerous. Sometimes, the landing gear doesn’t deploy properly, leaving the airplane incapable of safely reaching the ground. Other times, pilots may misjudge their rate of descent or their angle of approach. They might even make contact on the wrong runway, leading to them colliding with a building or another airplane.
Given that almost all of these incidents are preventable with proper training, airplane maintenance and workplace practices, those affected by such incidents may have grounds to take legal action. Pursuing compensation after an aviation incident can be a very difficult undertaking. Injured and grieving people often need assistance understanding their options and handling the process to ensure they receive appropriate compensation for their losses. Seeking legal guidance is a good way to get started.