Air travel has come a long way since the Wright brothers successfully flew and controlled an engine-powered aircraft. During the early stages of aviation, it was challenging simply to get a plane up in the air, carry people across long distances, and land in one piece. Today, commercial airlines have the ability to fly millions of people across thousands of miles and ensure that they arrive at their destination without a hitch.
Many of the aviation industry’s successes can be credited to the continuous technological advances being made in the sector. After all, the industry is always looking for ways to improve the different facets of air travel, including the construction of their planes, improving passenger comfort, and creating seamless online booking experiences through proper web design. Despite this, commercial aviation companies face long-term challenges when it comes to ensuring air safety and security.
Even when an airline owns a fleet of the latest commercial planes and employs well-trained staff members, it doesn’t guarantee that all their flights will always be successful. Several factors can cause issues during air travel, and many of them can even lead to serious aviation accidents. That’s why many aviation companies take the time to study most common reasons behind aviation accidents, so they can address these issues and improve flight safety. Here are four of the most common causes of aviation accidents and why they happen.
Pilot Errors
Being a commercial airline pilot has its perks. Not only do pilots earn a lot of money, but they also get to control a massive aircraft and travel around the world. Although the job is lucrative and a dream come true for many, it’s also a demanding one. Aside from battling the fatigue brought about by long-haul flights, pilots also have to be wary of night flight illusions that can impair their vision when flying in the dark. They also have to stay on their toes, so they can quickly and properly mitigate an alarming situation before things go awry.
Moreover, they have to be ready to bear the responsibility of transporting their passengers and crew safely to their destinations. That’s why student pilots enroll in the best flight schools in the world to learn how to conduct pre-flight checkups and fly a plane properly, so they can stay safe in the skies.
Even so, pilot errors make up approximately half of all aviation accidents. Since pilots are involved in every stage of a flight, a slight error on their part can lead to flight accidents. Not getting enough sleep, intoxication, and lack of experience can also result in disastrous flights. That’s why pilots have to take good care of their health and work hand-in-hand with their co-pilots to ensure a successful flight.
Air Traffic Control Errors
Flying a plane isn’t a job done by one person, but by teams of people who ensure that the aircraft gets to its destination safely and on time. Air traffic controllers, for example, are responsible for monitoring and directing the movement of aircraft in the skies, as well as ground traffic at airports. They handle multiple airplanes at a time, so they have to make the right decisions quickly to ensure the safety of the airplanes. Due to the number of planes and tasks that air traffic controllers oversee, they can get overwhelmed and get lost in the confusion. Without a functioning air traffic control team, airplane pilots will be flying blind and are at risk of crashing on the runway or colliding with another plane.
Airline Negligence
Commercial airlines also play an important role in keeping air travel safe. Aside from hiring qualified aviation professionals, their responsibilities also include providing crew members with enough training to ensure that the latest flight protocols are being followed. They also screen their employees regularly to ensure that their pilots, flight attendants, technicians, and other staff members are fit to work. Moreover, commercial airlines make sure that the aircraft in their fleet are well-maintained to avoid mechanical failure.
Due to their many obligations, airline companies can’t afford to be negligent. They are aware that even if they make the smallest of errors, they can affect the quality and safety of their flights. Nevertheless, the causes of many plane-related catastrophes can be attributed to airline corporate negligence. Some of the most commonly reported forms of airline negligence include the following:
- Failure to properly maintain the aircraft in their fleet
- Creating unsafe working environments for airline staff
- Lack of pilot training and screening
- Disregarding the standards set by the aviation industry
- Substandard hiring practices
Inclement Weather Conditions
Among all the causes of aviation accidents in this list, inclement weather conditions is one instance that isn’t linked to human error. The weather can be unpredictable during a flight, and sudden changes in the atmosphere can make it difficult for pilots to control their planes. If the pilot doesn’t know how to navigate through heavy rain, snow, and strong winds, they’re placing the lives of everyone on the plane at risk. That’s why student pilots undergo extensive training to prepare themselves for flying in all types of weather conditions.
There are a lot of factors that can contribute to plane-related disasters. However, these disasters can be avoided if commercial airline companies are proactive in preventing aviation accidents. Through proper pilot training, aircraft maintenance and updates, as well as following good business practices, the chances of safe air travel increase drastically and ensure the safety of everyone.