Have travel anxiety? These seats on an aircraft have the highest fatality rate
Recent air crashes involving Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 and Jeju Air flight 2216 highlight debates on seat safety in plane crashes. Studies suggest seats in the back third have slightly lower fatality rates, but experts stress every crash is ...
By ET Online |
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Two recent fatal air crashes, Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 and Jeju Air flight 2216, have reignited a long-standing belief among frequent flyers: the back of the plane might be the safest place to sit. Photos of the wreckage from both crashes appear to support this adage, raising questions about seat safety in air travel.
The 29 survivors of the Azeri crash were all sitting at the back of the plane, which split into two, leaving the rear half largely intact. The sole survivors of the South Korean crash, meanwhile, were the two flight attendants in their jumpseats in the very tail of the plane.
In 2015, TIME Magazine reporters wrote that they had combed through the records of all US plane crashes with both fatalities and survivors from 1985 to 2000, and found in a meta-analysis that seats in the back third of the aircraft had a 32% fatality rate overall, compared with 38% in the front third and 39% in the middle third.
But, which setas have the highest fatality rate?
As per the TIME Magazine reporters, the “worst” seats were aisles in the middle third of the aircraft, with a 44% fatality rate.
In contrast to this, aviation experts believe that every accident is different.
“There isn’t any data that shows a correlation of seating to survivability,” says Hassan Shahidi, president of the Flight Safety Foundation in a CNN report. “Every accident is different.”
“If we’re talking about a fatal crash, then there is almost no difference where one sits,” says Cheng-Lung Wu, associate professor at the School of Aviation of the University of New South Wales, Sydney.
Ed Galea, professor of fire safety engineering at London’s University of Greenwich, who has conducted landmark studies on plane crash evacuations, warns, “There is no magic safest seat.”
However Galea, and others, in the CNN report say that there’s a difference between the seat that has the best chance of surviving an initial impact, and one that allows you to get off the plane quickly. It’s the latter that we should be looking for, they say.
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Most plane crashes are ‘survivable’
“The vast majority of aircraft accidents are survivable, and the majority of people in accidents survive,” says Galea in the CNN report. Since 1988, aircraft — and the seats inside them — must be built to withstand an impact of up to 16G, or g-force up to 16 times the force of gravity. That means, he says, that in most incidents, “it’s possible to survive the trauma of the impact of the crash.”
Most aircraft involved in accidents, however, are not — as suspicion is growing over the Azerbaijan crash — shot out of the sky.
“And with modern planes built to withstand impacts and slow the spread of fire, Galea puts the chances of surviving a “survivable” accident at at least 90%,” as per CNN report.
Instead, he says, what makes the difference between life and death in most modern accidents is how fast passengers can evacuate.
Aircraft today must show that they can be evacuated in 90 seconds in order to gain certification. But a theoretical evacuation — practiced with volunteers at the manufacturers’ premises — is very different from the reality of a panicked public onboard a jet that has just crash-landed.
10 countries not to visit in 2025
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Many countries are plagued by conflicts, political instability, and crime, creating serious risks for both local populations and travelers. War zones and areas affected by terrorism present significant safety concerns. Understanding these risks is crucial for making informed travel decisions, ensuring personal safety, and raising awareness about the challenges faced by people in these regions.
Many countries are plagued by conflicts, political instability, and crime, creating serious risks for both local populations and travelers. War zones and areas affected by terrorism present significa..
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Afghanistan is the world’s most dangerous country, grappling with ongoing conflict, political instability, and severe humanitarian crises. Decades of war, including the Taliban’s resurgence, have led to widespread violence and insecurity. Poverty, lack of basic services, food insecurity, and a fragile healthcare system worsen the crisis. The presence of terrorist groups like ISIS further fuels violence, making daily life highly perilous for its population.
Afghanistan is the world’s most dangerous country, grappling with ongoing conflict, political instability, and severe humanitarian crises. Decades of war, including the Taliban’s resurgence, have led..
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Yemen is dangerous, primarily due to its ongoing civil war, political instability, and severe humanitarian crisis. Since 2014, the conflict between the Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government, coupled with Saudi-led airstrikes and ground battles, has caused widespread destruction and tens of thousands of deaths. This war has led to extreme poverty, food insecurity, and a collapsing healthcare system, with millions lacking access to basic necessities. These conditions make Yemen one of the most perilous places in the world.
Yemen is dangerous, primarily due to its ongoing civil war, political instability, and severe humanitarian crisis. Since 2014, the conflict between the Houthi rebels and the internationally recognize..
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Syria is unsafe to travel to, largely because of its ongoing civil war, which has been raging since 2011. The conflict, involving the Syrian government, rebel groups, ISIS, and foreign powers, has caused immense loss of life, widespread destruction, and a severe humanitarian crisis. The presence of terrorist organizations and foreign military interventions has created a highly unstable and dangerous environment, making Syria one of the most hazardous places in the world.
Syria is unsafe to travel to, largely because of its ongoing civil war, which has been raging since 2011. The conflict, involving the Syrian government, rebel groups, ISIS, and foreign powers, has ca..
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South Sudan is another country that tourists should avoid due to ongoing civil conflict, political instability, and a severe humanitarian crisis. Since its independence in 2011, internal strife between the government and rebels has caused widespread violence, ethnic massacres, and displacement. Food shortages, famine, and lack of infrastructure further exacerbate the crisis. Economic instability and corruption hinder peace efforts, making South Sudan one of the most perilous countries in the world.
South Sudan is another country that tourists should avoid due to ongoing civil conflict, political instability, and a severe humanitarian crisis. Since its independence in 2011, internal strife betwe..
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is plagued by ongoing conflicts and severe humanitarian crises. Armed groups, like the Allied Democratic Forces and M23, fuel violence and human rights abuses, driven by competition for control over valuable resources such as coltan and diamonds. This, along with corruption, instability, and frequent disease outbreaks like Ebola, creates a highly dangerous environment, making the DRC one of the most dangerous countries in the world.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is plagued by ongoing conflicts and severe humanitarian crises. Armed groups, like the Allied Democratic Forces and M23, fuel violence and human rights abus..
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Russia is another dangerous country to travel to due to its involvement in both domestic and international conflicts. The ongoing war in Ukraine, sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion, has caused global instability and violence. Domestically, political repression and violent crime are rampant, with the government cracking down on dissent and opposition, as per the International Security Journal Report. Russia’s military actions in places like Syria further contribute to its reputation for instability and danger.
Russia is another dangerous country to travel to due to its involvement in both domestic and international conflicts. The ongoing war in Ukraine, sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion, has caused global ..
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The war with Russia has caused widespread violence, destruction, and a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Heavy bombardment of cities and infrastructure has led to civilian casualties and displacement. Economic instability, landmines, and unexploded ordnance further threaten civilians. The war has also increased political tensions, making Ukraine one of the most dangerous places in the world.
The war with Russia has caused widespread violence, destruction, and a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Heavy bombardment of cities and infrastructure has led to civilian casualties and displacement. ..
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Travellers should Somalia due to ongoing conflict, terrorism, and political instability. Since the collapse of its government in 1991, the country has suffered from lawlessness and violence, fueled by Al-Shabaab attacks, clan rivalries, and weak institutions. These challenges have led to widespread poverty, displacement, and ineffective governance. Piracy along its coast also threatens international maritime security, making Somalia one of the most perilous countries for its citizens and the global community.
Travellers should Somalia due to ongoing conflict, terrorism, and political instability. Since the collapse of its government in 1991, the country has suffered from lawlessness and violence, fueled b..
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Since the Darfur conflict in 2003, the country has faced widespread violence and human rights abuses. Political turmoil following the ousting of Omar al-Bashir has deepened instability, with violence persisting in regions like Darfur and South Kordofan. Ethnic conflicts, economic hardships, and lack of basic services further exacerbate the crisis, making Sudan a highly perilous country.
Since the Darfur conflict in 2003, the country has faced widespread violence and human rights abuses. Political turmoil following the ousting of Omar al-Bashir has deepened instability, with violence..