In a photo from August 29, 2006, officers warn of the remains of Comair Flight 5191 at Bluegrass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky. The collision killed 49 passengers and crew. Ed Reinke/AP Hide Caption
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Ed Reinke/AP
A fatal air collision between a commercial jet and a military helicopter near Washington, DC is the most important disaster that will occur in US airspace in at least 15 years.
Following Wednesday's low-altitude crash, the two aircraft plunged into the frigid waters of the Potomac River. Investigators suspect that there are survivors. The responders are still working to retrieve 67 people on two aircraft.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. Still, it reminds me of the 1982 Florida flight collision in the flight to Potomac. The accident caused by pilot errors and bad weather killed 74 passengers and crew, along with four more on the ground.
With advances in aviation safety technology and innovative training, air travel is safer than ever before – especially in the US, mistakes are human. Experts should note that human error is responsible for the majority of aviation accidents.
“Whenever a person is involved, you risk human error,” said Jim Hall, an aviation consultant who chaired the National Road Safety Commission from 1993 to 2001.
Based on reports from the NTSB, let's take a quick look at some of the most deadly US aircraft disasters since the Florida Air Force crashed. This list does not include intentional aircraft collisions, including 9/11 attacks. The 9/11 attack continues to be the deadliest terrorist act in the US soil.
February 12, 2009
The recent fatal crash occurred on February 12, 2009, when a Colgan plane crashed near Buffalo, New York, killing a total of 50 people. The pilot, among other issues, was found to be in violation of federal regulations requiring conversations to be kept to a minimum at critical moments of flights.
August 27, 2006
A Comair aircraft crashed, killing 49 passengers and crew members while taking off on the wrong runway in Lexington, Kentucky.
November 12, 2001
All 260 people on an American Airlines plane were killed after the plane crashed into a neighbourhood in Bell Harbor, New York, shortly after takeoff. NTSB investigators said pilots actively used the plane's rudder system and inadequate training caused a crash.
January 31, 2000
An Alaska Airlines flight hit the Pacific Ocean near Anacapa Island, California. All 83 passengers and five crew members on board were killed. Maintenance and mechanical issues were cited as possible causes.
July 17, 1996
A flight of Transworld Airlines, building a boundary towards Paris, France, exploded and collided in the Atlantic Ocean near East Moriches, New York. The NTSB Report points to safety issues, including aircraft system maintenance and aging.
May 11, 1996
The Valujet Airlines flight crashed into the Florida Everglades about 10 minutes after taking off from Miami International Airport. All 110 passengers and crew were killed. Safety issues were found in equipment, training and procedures to deal with smoke and fires on aircraft.
October 31, 1994
The American Eagle flight crew lost control of the aircraft during icy weather and crashed near Rose Lawn, Indiana, killing four crew members and 64 passengers.
September 8, 1994
While they were about to land in Pittsburgh, a USAIR flight crashed, killing all 132 people on board. An investigation into the incident revealed problems with rudder systems and pilot training.
July 19, 1989
One crew and 110 passengers were killed after United Airlines flight experienced an engine failure when landing in Sioux City, Iowa. 184 people survived the crash landing.
August 16, 1987
Shortly after taking off from Detroit's Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Northwest Airlines flights attacked light poles and car rental facilities. Crush killed 156 people. Among them were two on the ground. One person survived. The NTSB concluded that the crash was due to an unexplained electrical outage, as it failed to complete the proper steps during the taxi.
August 2, 1985
Delta Air Lines' flight crashed as they were preparing to land at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport during a thunderstorm. Of the 163 people on board, 134 passengers and crew were killed.
July 9, 1982
A Pan American World Airways flight crashed in the outskirts of New Orleans, Louisiana, killing 145 people on board and eight others on the ground. The crash was blamed for the bad weather.
