Understanding the Reality of Airline Crashes: Myths, Misconceptions, and Realities
When an passenger airplane experiences a sudden and catastrophic drop from thousands of feet in the air, it often garners widespread attention and fear. However, such incidents are extremely rare in the modern aviation era. This article delves into the realities of such events, dispelling common misconceptions and offering insights into the experiences and outcomes of such incidents.
Myths and Misconceptions about Airplane Drops
One of the most prevalent myths surrounding airplane crashes is the idea that planes often drop from thousands of feet in the air shortly before hitting the ground. This misconception arises from the dramatic portrayal of airplane crashes in movies and media, where the image of a plane plummeting from the sky is visceral and frightening. However, the reality is far different.
Very few air accidents involve an airplane dropping thousands of feet. Such scenarios are exceedingly rare and can only occur under extreme circumstances, such as a significant structural failure (like the noted case of Japan Airlines Flight 123) or an act of sabotage/shooting down, as was the case with Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine. Midair collisions are also extremely rare. Consequently, most air accidents take place during or near takeoff and landing, when the aircraft is at its slowest and closest to the ground, with limited maneuverability.
The Reality of Unexpected Incidents at Higher Altitudes
If an incident does occur at 40,000 feet, the aircraft typically has a significant amount of altitude and space to recover from the situation. The passengers might not be aware of the problem until it is too late, as the realization and response time would be minimal. In many cases, the passengers might notice the plane dropping too fast or getting dangerously close to the ground, but it may be too late to do anything about it.
The Crash Experience: From Moment of Realization to Impact
On the rare occasion that an airplane does fall from thousands of feet, the experience for the passengers can be similar to that induced by the NASA Vomit Comet—temporary weightlessness followed by a rapid acceleration towards the ground. In cases of extreme speed, the wings might tear off as the plane falls, exposing the passengers to the wind. In severe cases, like the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, the plane would be struck by shrapnel from the missile, leading to an immediate disintegration in midair. The possibility of surviving such an event is unlikely, and the experience would be intensely traumatic for those who do manage to survive the impact.
Exposure to Cold and Wind
Even in situations where the plane does not completely fall or disintegrate, exposure to the cold air and wind at high altitudes can be dangerous but is generally not fatal. For example, in the case of Aloha Airlines Flight 243, a part of the cabin separated mid-flight, and despite the severe damage to the aircraft, the plane was able to make a safe emergency landing. The only fatality was a flight attendant who was ejected due to lack of seat restraints. This case also highlights the robust design of modern airliners, which are built to withstand significant stress and damage.
Conclusion
While the image of an airplane plummeting from thousands of feet is terrifying, the reality is that such incidents are exceptionally rare and only occur under extreme conditions. The vast majority of air accidents happen during takeoff and landing, when the aircraft is slow and near ground level, offering limited maneuverability. Understanding these realities can help dispel fears and provide a clearer picture of the safety measures in place within the aviation industry.