Frequently Asked Questions About Plane Crashes
Aviation accidents generate numerous questions from the public about safety, causes, and procedures. While commercial flying remains statistically the safest form of long-distance travel, understanding the realities of plane crashes helps put risks in perspective and prepares people for unlikely emergencies.
The data consistently shows that your chances of being involved in a fatal plane crash on a commercial airline are approximately 1 in 11 million flights. To put this in context, you're far more likely to die in a car accident during your drive to the airport than during the flight itself. The National Safety Council estimates that Americans have a 1 in 101 lifetime chance of dying in a motor vehicle accident, compared to a 1 in 205,552 chance of dying as an airplane passenger.
This FAQ addresses common concerns about aviation safety, specific incidents, and practical information. Our main page provides detailed statistics on crash frequency and airline safety records, while additional historical context appears throughout the site.
What should I do if I witness a plane crash?
Immediately call emergency services by dialing 911 and provide the exact location, number of aircraft involved, and any visible fire or injuries. Stay at a safe distance of at least 500 feet from the wreckage due to serious hazards including jet fuel fires, potential explosions, toxic fumes from burning materials, and possible secondary explosions from oxygen tanks or batteries. Do not attempt rescue unless you have proper training and equipment. If the crash is in water, note the exact location and any survivors you can see, but do not enter the water yourself unless you are a trained rescue swimmer. Keep others away from the scene and wait for professional emergency responders who have protective equipment and training to handle aviation accident hazards.
How often do commercial planes crash?
Commercial aviation is extraordinarily safe, with fatal accidents occurring at a rate of approximately 0.27 accidents per million flights globally as of 2023 data. In the United States specifically, major commercial airlines have not experienced a fatal crash since 2009, representing over 15 years and billions of passenger miles without a fatality. Worldwide, there are roughly 100,000 commercial flights daily, yet fatal accidents typically number fewer than 10 per year globally. The International Civil Aviation Organization reports that you could fly every day for 14,716 years before statistically experiencing a fatal crash. Minor incidents and non-fatal accidents occur more frequently but rarely result in serious injuries due to modern safety systems and crew training.
What are the most common causes of plane crashes?
Modern accident investigation reveals that pilot error contributes to approximately 53% of fatal crashes, though this often involves multiple cascading factors rather than a single mistake. Mechanical failure accounts for roughly 22% of accidents, weather-related issues cause about 12%, and other factors including sabotage, air traffic control errors, and fuel problems make up the remainder. The Boeing Commercial Aviation Safety report indicates that controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), loss of control in flight, and runway excursions represent the three deadliest accident categories. Importantly, most crashes result from a chain of events rather than one isolated cause—investigators typically identify 5-7 contributing factors in major accidents. Modern safety systems focus on breaking these chains through redundancy, better training, improved weather detection, and enhanced cockpit automation that assists pilots during high-workload situations.
Has a JetBlue plane ever crashed?
JetBlue Airways has never experienced a fatal crash or hull loss in its history since beginning operations in 2000. The airline has operated over 1 million flights carrying more than 500 million passengers without a single fatality. The most serious incident occurred on September 21, 2005, when JetBlue Flight 292, an Airbus A320, experienced a nose gear malfunction that caused the wheels to rotate 90 degrees sideways. The pilots executed a perfect emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport after circling for three hours to burn fuel. All 145 passengers and crew evacuated safely with no injuries. JetBlue's safety record places it among the safest airlines operating in the United States, benefiting from modern aircraft, comprehensive pilot training, and strong safety culture established from its founding.
When was the last time a plane crashed in the US?
The last fatal commercial airline crash in the United States occurred on February 12, 2009, when Colgan Air Flight 3407, operating as Continental Connection, crashed near Buffalo, New York, killing all 49 people aboard and one person on the ground. Since then, U.S. commercial aviation has maintained an unprecedented safety streak of over 15 years without a fatal crash involving a scheduled passenger airline. However, general aviation (private planes, charters, and small aircraft) continues to experience accidents regularly. In 2024, several general aviation crashes occurred, including multiple fatalities, but these involve different operational categories with different safety profiles than commercial airlines. The distinction between commercial airline operations and general aviation is critical when discussing crash statistics, as the safety records differ dramatically between these categories.
What airline has the most crashes?
Historically, Aeroflot (Soviet/Russian airline) has experienced the most crashes and fatalities in aviation history, with over 8,231 deaths recorded across its existence since 1923. However, most of these accidents occurred during the Soviet era under different safety standards, and modern Aeroflot operates with significantly improved safety. Among U.S. carriers, American Airlines has the highest absolute number of fatal accidents (approximately 60 throughout its history since 1926), but this reflects its status as one of the world's largest and oldest airlines. When measuring safety properly, crash rates must be calculated per flight hour or per departure rather than absolute numbers. By this metric, major U.S. airlines all maintain similar, excellent safety records. The global airline safety rankings published by AirlineRatings.com evaluate carriers on current safety protocols, incident rates, and regulatory compliance rather than historical totals, providing a more relevant assessment for today's travelers.
What are the safest seats on an airplane?
Statistical analysis by aviation safety experts and the Federal Aviation Administration suggests that rear seats have a slightly higher survival rate in crashes, though the difference is not dramatic enough to make seat selection a primary safety factor. A 2015 TIME magazine analysis of FAA accident data found that seats in the rear third of the aircraft had a 32% fatality rate compared to 39% in the middle third and 38% in the front third during crashes. Aisle seats near exits provide faster evacuation access, which matters since post-crash fire and smoke pose the greatest threats to survivors. However, the most important safety factors are paying attention to the safety briefing, knowing where your nearest exits are (including behind you), keeping your seatbelt fastened when seated, and being prepared to evacuate quickly. The FAA's 90-second evacuation rule requires that aircraft be evacuated in that timeframe, so knowing your exit row location and having a mental plan matters more than specific seat position.
How many plane crashes happened in 2025?
As of current data, 2025 statistics are still being compiled, but preliminary information through early 2025 indicates the year is tracking similarly to recent years in terms of aviation safety. In 2024, there were approximately 15-20 fatal commercial aviation accidents globally (final numbers pending), resulting in fewer than 300 fatalities worldwide across all commercial operations. This continues the long-term trend of improving aviation safety despite increasing flight volumes. The United States specifically has maintained its streak without a major commercial airline fatal crash extending from 2009 through 2025. General aviation in the U.S. typically experiences 1,100-1,300 accidents annually with 200-350 fatalities, and 2025 appears consistent with this pattern. The Aviation Safety Network maintains the most comprehensive database of aviation accidents and updates statistics as investigations conclude and data becomes verified.
Can you survive a plane crash?
Survival rates for plane crashes are considerably higher than most people assume. The National Transportation Safety Board found that 95.7% of passengers involved in aircraft accidents between 1983 and 2000 survived. Even in serious crashes, survival is possible and often probable if passengers follow safety procedures. The critical factors for survival include wearing your seatbelt properly, assuming the brace position during impact, remaining calm during evacuation, moving quickly toward exits without retrieving luggage, and getting at least 500 feet away from the aircraft after evacuating due to fire risk. Most fatalities in survivable crashes result from post-impact fire and smoke rather than the impact itself, which is why rapid evacuation is essential. The 'golden 90 seconds' after a crash represents the window before fire typically engulfs the cabin. Studies of successful evacuations show that passengers who had reviewed safety cards, identified exit locations, and mentally prepared for emergencies had significantly higher survival rates than those who ignored safety briefings.
| Crash Severity | Total Accidents | Total Occupants | Survivors | Survival Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor | 3,175 | 156,238 | 155,584 | 99.6% |
| Serious | 568 | 53,487 | 51,326 | 96.0% |
| Severe (Survivable) | 76 | 7,152 | 4,258 | 59.5% |
| Catastrophic | 24 | 2,739 | 128 | 4.7% |
| All Categories | 3,843 | 219,616 | 211,296 | 95.7% |
External Resources
- National Transportation Safety Board - The National Transportation Safety Board found that 95.7% of passengers involved in aircraft accidents between 1983 and 2000 survived.
- Aviation Safety Network - The Aviation Safety Network maintains the most comprehensive database of aviation accidents and updates statistics as investigations conclude and data becomes verified.
- FAA passenger safety information - The FAA's 90-second evacuation rule requires that aircraft be evacuated in that timeframe, so knowing your exit row location and having a mental plan matters more than specific seat position.
- International Civil Aviation Organization - The International Civil Aviation Organization reports that you could fly every day for 14,716 years before statistically experiencing a fatal crash.