Introduction
For this definition, an aircraft accident encompasses every unfortunate event on a plane, from when passengers board until they are seriously hurt or killed. The disaster significantly affects human life, leaving little odds for survival, especially for those within the vessel. Most accidents happen in underdeveloped aviation hubs where safety and environmental problems are not adequately addressed. Estimates for worldwide aviation crashes are modest, but they are feared due to the high death rates and the poor likelihood of locating survivors in the event of an occurrence. In the event of an airplane crash, statistics show that almost two-thirds of the people on board had an extremely little chance of surviving.
The primary goal of any probe into a plane crash is to identify and eliminate the factors contributing to the tragedy. The National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation all participate in the investigation of plane accidents (Aircraft Accidents Investigations, 2010). These organizations investigate the myriad factors that might lead to a plane catastrophe. The government investigates both local and foreign crimes when asked to do so. Plane crashes occur worldwide and never follow the same pattern twice.
Investigations
When an accident occurs involving an aircraft, it is the responsibility of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to look into the matter, identify potential causes, make recommendations for improvement, and research the topic. They are also in charge of assessing the efficiency with which aircraft companies ensure the public’s safety. Other bodies like the Federal Aviation Administration are also involved. When investigating an accident, the NTSB investigators have certain duties. Maintenance includes documenting the flight’s incident history and each crew member’s roles leading up to the crash. On the other hand, structures entail things like taking pictures of the accident site and using math to figure out things like how high the building was. Exploring the inner workings of a power plant entails looking at engines, propellers, and everything else that goes into making an engine work. Finally, in human performance, they must analyze the crew’s job to identify causes of human mistakes such as exhaustion, drug use, or illness (Aircraft Accidents Investigations, 2010).
Levels of Investigation
The investigative process is governed by the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) established rules and procedures, which begin with preplanning. The first step in this process is to acquire the necessary supplies and arrange for the required human resources. The next step is to gather essential evidence and photographs from the area, as well as any personal survival gear, diagramming and charting tools, materials required for interviewing witnesses, and so on (Milosovski et al., 2009). The criminals also assemble the paperwork, technical information on the plane and the people, and the containers needed to transport everything. After preparing for the early activities, such as setting up a base of operations and establishing contact with the local authorities, it is imperative to coordinate the security and protection of the crash site.
Establishing safety regulations and doing a preliminary walkthrough while photographing and collecting time-sensitive evidence are other important first steps. Next, during the actual wreckage examination, investigators look at the impact’s velocity and angle, the topography involved, and the number of land hits, all recorded and quantified in the report. Photographs and diagrams would be made based on the information obtained, the pieces of the aircraft’s structure and systems would be examined, and maintenance logs and witness interviews would be retrieved (Aircraft Accidents Investigations, 2010).
Difference between Accident and Incident
There are important distinctions between aviation incidents and accidents despite their superficial similarities. Incidents involve events or something that may have occurred to jeopardize the safety of a flight. In contrast, accidents are just unfortunate occurrences that can happen at any time and place (Milosovski et al., 2009). As a result, mishaps occur when least expected due to unforeseen factors. Furthermore, accidents often result in physical harm and financial loss. A collision between two airplanes, killing everyone on board, is an example of an accident. It’s possible that faulty orders issued from the control tower contributed to the crash. After the error was discovered, nothing could be done to prevent further harm. Accidents occur when airplanes encounter problems that are not adequately prevented or handled.
Incidents, on the other hand, are occurrences or things that occurred or may have occurred to put the safety of a flight in jeopardy. However, events are never linked to catastrophic levels of harm and destruction. This means that eyewitness accounts represent near misses rather than actual accidents. Incidents that result in no recorded damage or injuries only partially avert accidents. Incidents can lead to accidents if the worst-case scenarios aren’t planned for and prevented. Fortunately, not all occurrences lead to accidents; some may be mitigated or regulated to avoid harm or loss.
Causes of Aircraft Accidents
Around 4:45 p.m. on June 1, 2019 (or 16:45 UTC), there was a terrible accident occurred in the Heber, Utah, area. The pilot said he was making an emergency landing close to Heber, Utah, in the Rexburg, Idaho area and the airport there. The jet swerved to the left as its pilots struggled to land in a headwind. The pilot stated that in reaction, he adjusted the rudder to the right, causing the plane to abort its landing. The engine stalled after he applied full throttle. After crashing into a fence, the aircraft dived to the ground, where its landing gear, propeller, and right wing were all damaged (Milosovski et al., 2009). According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot’s inability to land was likely caused by an aerodynamic stall because the pilot surpassed the airplane’s critical angle of attack.
When a captain responds appropriately when the stick shaker goes off, mishaps can occur. As a result of the reaction, the aerodynamic stall is exacerbated beyond repair. This behavior will happen if the attack angle increases while the lift force is lowered. In other cases, crew members need to monitor where the air speed indications are located or how fast the air is moving. Accidents were also caused by crews being unable to keep the flight under control and follow all safety measures. Most accidents may be attributed to poor judgment by one or more parties. A pilot can have limited knowledge, especially regarding a predetermined weather condition. It’s also possible for a pilot to incorrectly assess a scenario detected in a plane (Milosovski et al., 2009). One example of an incorrect estimation is flying with a low fuel level. Similarly, despite receiving instructions from the control tower to alter the aircraft’s height, a pilot may decide to maintain the current altitude instead. Ignoring such warnings might put people in harm’s way.
Mitigations
To reduce the likelihood of accidents in the transportation sector, the Safety Management system was established. There are many of them, and they all revolve around four main ideas for avoiding repeat mishaps. To make sure that all upper-level managers are actively working to make their workplaces safer and more secure, a policy called “Safety policy” was developed. Contrarily, safety assurance is an infrastructure that emphasizes measures taken to lessen potential dangers. Safety risk management is identifying situations where new regulations for minimizing risks are needed. Safety promotion uses training and communication to instill this mindset in all employees (Aircraft Accidents Investigations, 2010). Every airline should thoroughly vet their pilots in advance of every flight to make sure they are fit to fly. Before pilots can go to the skies, they must complete the necessary academic training and have their credentials checked and certified. FAA cracks down and enforces maintenance and record-keeping laws, checking rides and not letting pilots fly in situations they have not flown before. To maintain effective oversight and administration, accredited airlines should regularly document their documentation (Aircraft Accidents Investigations, 2010).
Conclusion
Most accidents are unavoidable and beyond anyone’s control at the moment they happen. Pilots may experience mental fatigue when working longer shifts if they need adequate staff. That way, everyone can relax and recharge during their time off, and everyone can return to work feeling refreshed and ready to do their best. Pilots should be given reasonable breaks to prevent them from working too much and getting too tired. No pilot or flight attendant should be forced to perform an emergency task without first taking the necessary safety procedures. Any mechanical problems with the vessel must be found right away and fixed before any flight is allowed to fly. This will play a big role in avoiding these accidents and saving lives.
References
Aircraft Accidents Investigations. (2010, December 14). Retrieved December 11, 2022 from
https://www.essaytown.com/subjects/paper/aircraft-accident-investigation/37464
Milosovski, G., Bil, C., & Simon, P. (2009). Improvement of aircraft accident investigation
through expert systems. Journal of aircraft, 46(1), 10-24.https://doi.org/10.2514/1.38605s
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