Although air travel is generally regarded as one of the safest forms of transportation, accidents do happen. They typically depend on a variety of different circumstances, some of which involve the aircraft, while others involve external factors. These circumstances may include problems that occur during takeoff and landing, problems related to weather, mechanical failures or situations involving fuel and pilot error.
Descent, Landing and Takeoff
A plane's descent from flight is typically regarded as the most common area within which aviation accidents occur. The various stages of the landing process include descent, approach, landing, aborted landing and taxi. When a problem occurs at any stage in the process, an accident may result. For instance, there may be an obstruction somewhere in the runway, necessitating an aborted landing. When aborted landings go wrong, aviation accidents are likely to occur. Landing safely is the key to effective flight, though sometimes landing gear is defective, which can also result in an aviation accident. Before takeoff, every pilot and crew must go through an extensive battery of preflight inspections, such as checking all of the instruments and gauges. The purpose of this is to insure that
aviation accidents are less likely to occur.
Weather Conditions
During many stages of flight, weather can become problematic, and result in some type of potentially dangerous aviation accident. During takeoff, a pilot must account and compensate for gusty winds, both in the planning, preflight stages, as well as the actual climb-out stage of ascent. High winds may also increase the likelihood of a plane being blown off the side or end of the runway on takeoff, although smaller aircraft may be more susceptible than larger aircraft. Turbulence during flight, caused by irregular winds, is often avoidable or manageable by a qualified pilot. Other weather conditions, such as lightning, high winds, rain, fog and snow, may all make flying difficult for pilots. Aviation accidents that are directly caused by lightning are rare, though pilots who get distracted during lightning storms may increase the risk of an aviation accident. When visibility is reduced to an unsafe level due to the presence of snow, blizzard conditions or fog, pilots end up relying almost exclusively on airplane instruments, which can heighten the possibility of an aviation accident. Another factor with snow is the formation of ice on the aircraft, making flying more difficult. Rain, clouds, high winds, hail and more, all of which may be unavoidable, all necessitate greater vigilance by the pilot in order to avoid an accident.
Mechanical Failures
Aviation accidents may be caused by any number of situations involving the mechanics of these complicated machines, given their complex instruments and the significance of the electronics involved. Malfunctions involving aging electrical systems or improperly insulated wiring on older airplanes, for instance, can lead to accidents, especially in inclement weather when pilots have to rely almost exclusively on instruments when visibility is low or nonexistent. Engine failure, for whatever reason, may also lead to an accident. This may be the result of problems with fuel or the mechanics of the engine. The malfunction of critical parts such as the rudder, or the pedals that control the rudder, can lead to an accident. Defective gauges or other features of the aircraft's instrumentation, all of which assist the pilot in maintaining control, may increase the possibility of an accident.
Problems Concerning the Pilot
Pilot errors that may lead to aviation accidents can include poor preflight planning, failure to follow all safety procedures, disregarding weather conditions, faulty maneuvers in flight, or general irresponsibility, such as intoxication while flying an aircraft. There are also a few situations over which the pilot may have little control, but may also increase the risk of an accident, including a heart attack (often due to excess levels of stress), or the onset of an epileptic attack or seizure.
Fuel Issues and Mismanagement
Two types of fuel mismanagement may increase the potential for aviation accidents to occur. These include exhaustion, or the aircraft's complete loss of fuel and starvation, which involves the pilot's failure to switch to a full tank after the fuel tank in use has been emptied. Both cases can be disastrous, and both are equally avoidable. There is also an increased chance of an accident with fuel leaks, or with faulty mechanics involved in the fuel system, including the fuel pump. With problems concerning the fuel systems, oftentimes a pilot must be aware of the reduced ability to fly. Mismanagement of the aircraft in such situations, including not landing the plane soon enough, can lead to an aviation accident.
Other Potential Problems
Birds can be more of an issue than most people might imagine, and problems with birds account for a number of fatal accidents. Due to the speed of the aircraft, even collisions with seemingly light objects like birds can result in serious damage, often to the plane's engine, which can make the plane difficult to fly, and influence an aviation accident. Mid-air collisions with other aircraft and errors due to the negligence of air traffic controllers on the ground can also increase the instances of aviation accidents.