Aviation
Accident Lawyer Services
While
air travel is generally safe, there are a number of
hazards that face all of us when we board an airplane
and put our lives in the hands of the pilot. From fire,
to equipment failure, to acts of terrorism, air travel
can be fraught with danger.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible
for regulating airline and airport security. The FAA's
goal is to prevent terrorism and the transport of hazardous
items and substances . In order to do so, the FAA promulgates
broad security regulations and recommendations requiring
each airport to design safety programs in compliance
with the regulations. Such programs may employ, among
other techniques, the use of metal detectors, airport
security personnel, and security training courses for
airport employees. However, as the Attack on America
of September 11, 2001 tragically reminded us, a determined
foe can overcome any security measure.
While security is a top priority of the aviation industry
and government regulators, dangerous incidents can and
do occur. From acts of terrorism to the increasingly
common problem of "air rage", the consequences
of inadequate security measures continue to present
themselves. Perhaps most worrisome is the skill, or
lack thereof, of airport security personnel. While most
airports have full time law enforcement agents on premises,
the staff in charge of manning the last line of defense,
the metal detectors, are often paid minimum wage with
a minimum of training and perhaps not even a high school
diploma. Many security experts consider these employees
the weak link in the Nation's airport security programs,
fearing that the next act of terrorism or deadly incident
of air rage may be due in part to staff incompetence.
The events of September 11, 2001 brought change to aviation
security as the Federal government took a more active
role in airport security.
Another area of concern revolves around the so-called
"runway incursion." The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) defines a runway incursion as "any occurrence
at an airport involving an aircraft, vehicle, person,
or object on the ground that creates a collision hazard
or results in loss of separation with an aircraft taking
off, intending to take off, landing, or intending to
land." Many assume that once a plane has safely
landed all potential danger is gone. Unfortunately,
statistics show otherwise. Since 1993 the number of
runway incursions has increased over 70%. The National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) considers this increase
in runway incursions one of the ten most significant
safety issues facing air travelers today.
A number of factors can cause runway incursions including
pilot error (proceeding into unauthorized areas such
as closed runways or taxiways), air traffic controller
error (transmitting misinformation to pilots regarding
ground maneuvers), and ground personnel errors (deviations
by baggage carts, fuel trucks, maintenance vehicles,
etc.). The consequences of runway incursions range from
minor aircraft or vehicle damage to catastrophic loss
of life . For instance, the deadliest air disaster in
history occurred when two 747s collided on a runway
in the Canary Islands in 1977 killing 583 passengers.
Additionally, in October 2000 a Singapore Airlines 747
crashed shortly after lifting off from Taipei killing
eighty-three passengers and crew members. The pilot
apparently barreled down a runway that was closed for
repairs, colliding with construction equipment along
the way. In 2000 the NTSB stated that "the potential
is still there for a catastrophic runway collision in
the United States." Citing several recent near
misses at the Nation's airports, the NTSB (which investigates
accidents) has called on the FAA (which is charged with
preventing accidents) to implement improved ground tracking
methods and operational procedures to reduce the frequency
of runway incursions.
As recent news stories have made clear, it is important
to stay buckled-up while traveling by air. Turbulence
causes an average of 58 injuries aboard aircraft each
year in the United States. These injuries occur, not
as the result of a crash, but rather due to violent
movement of the airplane while it is airborne. Most
injuries can be avoided by simply wearing a seatbelt,
even when the seatbelt sign is turned off.
Turbulence is the term used to describe air disturbances
that cannot be seen. Turbulence can be caused by any
number of conditions including air rushing over mountain
ranges, weather fronts, and even other aircraft. Pilots
generally report when they encounter turbulence so that
following planes can divert around the turbulence or
advise passengers to buckle up. Sometimes, however,
there is no warning, with turbulence hitting an aircraft
suddenly. While the planes themselves are designed to
withstand all but the most severe turbulence, unbuckled
passengers may not be so lucky.
According to the FAA, 2002 was the safest year since
1946 for airplane travel. There were no fatalities in
the United States aboard a major airliner and only one
accident the National Transportation Safety Board considered
serious, the crash of a Boeing 727 in Florida that injured
one person. There were 300 fatal accidents involving
small planes and charter aircraft.
Aviation
Accident Overview
information provided by InjuryBoard.com
Back to Services
| Back to Top | Contact
Us |
