Worst-case Scenario: How To Survive a Plane Crash

July 16, 2018

By: Erin R. Applebaum, Partner

Originally published in the New York City Bar Association’s Committee On Aeronautics Newsletter, Volume 2, No. 1, January 2018

According to a newly-released report by the Dutch aviation consultancy firm To70, 2017 was the safest year on record for worldwide commercial air travel. Zero passengers died in large commercial jet crashes last year compared to six fatal civil aviation accidents in 2016.¹ Though the average passenger’s chances of dying aboard a commercial flight now stand at approximately 1 in 16 million,² there will always remain a small risk of crashing. Naturally, passengers may find themselves wondering the inevitable: What if my flight is the unlucky one? 

Learn more about Kreindler’s Leading Aviation Accident Law Practice.

Contrary to movie and media portrayals, it is highly possible to survive a plane crash. According to the most recent report on the subject published by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the passenger survival rate for plane crashes between 1983 and 2000 was 95.7%.³ Even in serious commercial accidents involving fire and substantial damage, 76.6% of passengers made it out of the aircraft alive. Of the fatalities that did occur, 40% were estimated to have happened in survivable crashes.⁴ 

Several experts have put together a selection of tips for how to ensure your safety in the event of a plane crash. 

From Christine Negroni, author of “The Crash Detectives: Investigating the World’s Most Mysterious Air Disasters”⁵ 

Avoid cheap airlines:

Foreign countries with lax regulations and a poor record of flight safety are unlikely to provide proper funding to their mechanics, air traffic controllers and safety inspectors. 

Listen to the pre-flight safety briefing:

In emergency situations, many passengers experience a type of fearful paralysis called “negative panic,” where they freeze instead of taking action. Instead of wearing headphones during the pre-flight safety briefing, it’s a good idea to tune in and be reminded of exactly where to go and what to do in the event of a crash. 

Dress for survival:

Try to wear clothing made from cotton or natural fibers, since synthetic clothing is extremely flammable and more likely to burn quickly during a fire. Wear practical shoes that will allow you to run quickly. The aircraft floor could be very hot, covered in oil or on fire, and you may also find yourself standing outside in hazardous terrain. Don’t remove your shoes in flight as your chances of escaping quickly could be seriously hindered. 

From Ed Gallea, Fire Safety Engineer at the University of Greenwich in England⁶ 

Choose your seat wisely:

Try to sit in the rear of the aircraft, in an aisle seat, as close to the exit row as possible.⁷ An oft-cited study performed by Popular Mechanics in 2007 found that passengers seated in the rear of the aircraft were 40% more likely to survive than those in the front. Aisle seats were found to be somewhat safer than window seats, while locations near the exit rows were most preferable as the majority of passengers who survived post-crash fires moved five rows or fewer before exiting the plane. Avoid the bulkhead as the walls don’t have as much “give” as an aircraft seat upon impact. 

From Ben Sherwood, author of “The Survivor’s Club”

Stay alert during takeoff and landing:

Close to 80% of all plane crashes occur during the first three minutes after takeoff and the last eight minutes before landing.⁸ Be as vigilant as possible during this time period: remain awake, keep your shoes on, ensure that your seatbelt is securely fastened and don’t drink too much alcohol. Make sure you have an action plan in place and be prepared to act immediately. 

From Cynthia Corbett, human factors specialist at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)⁹

Position yourself correctly:

Place a bag underneath the seat in front of you before takeoff. Broken legs and feet are common injuries sustained upon impact, and a bag will create a barrier to prevent your feet and legs from sliding under the seat. When impact is inevitable, assume the survival position. If you have a seat in front of you, cross your hands on the seatback and place your forehead on top of your hands. If you’re seated in the bulkhead, bend forward and hug your knees with your head down. 

Get out as fast as you can: 

The first 90 seconds after the crash are absolutely critical since most deaths occur during post-crash fires that spread quickly after impact.¹⁰ Proceed immediately to an aircraft exit; do not sit and wait for orders or waste time retrieving your personal belongings. Every second wasted on the aircraft could be the difference between life and death. 

Though it’s smart to prepare for the worst-case scenario, it’s important to remember that commercial flights are by far the safest way to travel.¹¹ Vast improvements in aviation safety training, aircraft design and firefighting equipment have made flying much safer than driving; while your odds of dying in a plane crash are infinitesimal, your chances of dying in an auto accident are approximately one in 5,000.¹² All in all, there’s no need to be paranoid while flying, as long as you remain “vigilantly relaxed.”¹³

Author

• 

  Erin R. Applebaum

  Erin has dedicated her career to seeking justice for people harmed during air travel. As a partner in Kreindler’s aviation practice, she represents the interests of passengers severely injured or killed in general aviation accidents and commercial airline disasters. Erin is considered by many in the aviation community to be a foremost authority on litigating claims governed by the Montreal Convention, the international treaty on commercial air travel.
  Read More