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Threats to Air Safety

Posted on 17. Feb, 2010 by Admin in Uncategorized

Aircraft may encounter difficulty and even crash due to many different issues. The following are some of the most common troubles faced when flying.

Stalling
Stalling an aircraft translates into increasing its angle, while flying, until the wings will no longer provide the lift needed to keep the plane airborne. Pilots can usually recover from this situation and there are instruments, on board, that will give a warning should there be an impending danger of stalling the aircraft. These warnings are audio in nature and are easily noticed. However, prior to these standards, which are currently in place, British European Airways Flight 548 crashed in 1972 due to stalling conditions.

Fire
Fire is another danger that can occur in an aircraft. Because of this, there are a number of safety regulations that monitor automated fire detection systems and the materials used in aircraft design. For example, materials are measured for degree of smoke toxicity and flammability. An incident of toxic smoke-related deaths can be found in the Air Canada Flight 797 electrical fire in 1983. The resulting toxic smoke from that fire resulted in the deaths of 23 passengers. This accident subsequently resulted in aircraft being designed with floor-level lights in order to assist passenger evacuation, in case of a fire.

Bird Strikes
Bird Strikes can also lead to immediate aircraft damage and resulting accidents, which can sometimes be fatal. The most spectacular non-fatal bird strike-related accident occurred on January 15, 2009. It was in this accident that Canadian Geese were sucked up into the engines of US Airways Flight 1549, causing engine failure and forcing the pilot to land on the surface of the Hudson River. Miraculously, everyone survived.

Aircraft will be at highest risk for bird strikes during landings, takeoff and when flying in lower altitudes. Recorded sounds of natural bird predators are used, in some airports, to decrease the possibility of a bird strike during a takeoff or landing. Grass that is poisonous to birds (and insects) can also be planted around airports. Also, at some airports, grass is grown to lengths over 12 inches, which will keep birds away, since some bird species will not land if they can’t see each other.

Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

If you need legal advice, contact Attorney Kristopher Barber at The Barber Law Firm in Dallas, Texas. Click here for more information.

Tags: air safety, aircraft accident, stalling