The Geneva-based Aircraft Crashes Record Office (ACRO) compiles statistics on aviation accidents of aircraft capable of carrying more than six passengers, not including helicopters, balloons, or fighter airplanes.
Deaths per billion passenger-kilometres of air travelers are 0.05 while for motorcycle riders the number is 108.9. The numbers for bus and rail travelers are 0.4 and 0.6 respectively.
Bird strike is an aviation term for a collision between a bird and an aircraft. It is a common threat to aircraft safety and has caused a number of fatal accidents.
Plumes of volcanic ash near active volcanoes present a risk especially for night flights. The ash is hard and abrasive and can quickly cause significant wear on the propellers and turbocompressor blades.
Large baggage with heavy articles is difficult to lift into the overhead bin, so have it stored elsewhere. Also, heavy bags may fall down during turbulence, which can cause serious injury.
Keeping your belt fastened while you are seated, especially during turbulence, will provide extra protection for your safety.
A passenger plane with 96 people on board crashed during landing at a forests-surrounded airport in northeast China's Heilongjiang province amid thick fog late Tuesday.
The A320's 3.96-metre-wide fuselage provides wider seats and more room for carry-on baggage, and the ability to load containerised cargo in the lower hold.
Aircraft usually land at an airport on a firm runway or helicopter landing pad, generally constructed of asphalt concrete, concrete, gravel or grass. Aircraft equipped with pontoons are able to land on water.
