The Aviation Safety Network (ASN), an independent body that provides an online database of aviation accidents and incidents, reported that the number of fatalities were at a record low in 2013.
Its database shows a total of 265 airliner accident fatalities, which resulted from 29 fatal airliner accidents, were recorded around the world.
According to ASN, it was the safest year by number of fatalities and the second safest year by number of accidents. The ten-year average is at 720 fatalities and 32 accidents a year (see graph below for stats since 1946).
ASN credits international aviation organisations such the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and government bodies (such as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in Australia) for the drop in flight fatalities. Commercial aviation remains one of the safest forms of travel per distance travelled.
The big crashes of 2013
According to ASN records, the worst plane crash last year happened on November 17 when a Tatarstan Airlines Boeing 737 crashed while attempting to land at Kazan in Russia, killing 50 people.
The plane was battling strong winds on approach, hit the runway and exploded in flames. The Russian carrier had in fact only received a four-star rating from Airline Ratings. It had also failed to complete the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit which is an internationally accepted evaluation system for airlines.
Other tragic accidents include a fatal crash on October 17 where 49 people died when a Lao Airlines ATR72 crashed while on approach to Pakse in Laos due to severe rain caused by a nearby tropical storm.
Lao Airlines was also only rated as a four-star airline by Airline Ratings in part because it also had not completed the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit.
Below is a map showing accident locations around the world in 2013.
The Asiana Boeing 777 crash in July received a lot of press when the plane hit a runway sea wall and flipped over at San Francisco International Airport. Amazingly, 304 passengers and crew walked away and only three passengers died.
ASN considered the Asiana Boeing 777 crash to be the “most miraculous escape” of the year.
Monday 20 January 2014
http://theconversation.com/and-the-award-for-the-safest-airline-in-2013-goes-to-21973
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