Archive for the ‘Aviation’ Category
1/13/1982: an Air Florida Boeing 727 plunges into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., killing 78 people.
Sunday, January 13th, 2019“…..Two people in particular emerged as heroes during the rescue: Arland Williams and Lenny Skutnik. Known as the “sixth passenger,” Williams survived the crash, and passed lifelines on to others rather than take one for himself. He ended up being the only plane passenger to die from drowning. When one of the survivors to whom Williams had passed a lifeline was unable to hold on to it, Skutnik, who was watching the unfolding tragedy, jumped into the water and swam to rescue her…..”
- The bridge was later renamed the Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge.
The Aviation Safety Network: The 2018 airliner accident statistics showing a total of 15 fatal airliner accidents, resulting in 556 fatalities.
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019- Despite several high-profile accidents, the year 2018 was one of the safest years ever for commercial aviation
- Over the year 2018, the Aviation Safety Network recorded a total of 15 fatal airliner accidents, resulting in 556 fatalities.
- This makes 2018 the third safest year ever by the number of fatal accidents and the ninth safest in terms of fatalities.
- The safest year in aviation history was 2017 with 10 accidents and 44 lives lost.
- Five-year average of 14 accidents and 480 fatalities
- The estimated worldwide air traffic is about 37,800,000 flights
- The accident rate is one fatal accident per 2,540,000 flights.
- The April 11 accident involving an Algerian Air Force IL-76 transport plane that killed 257 is not included.
- When including military transport aircraft the total number fatalities would be 917 in 25 fatal accidents.
