Crash risk in general aviation
There was a brief article in the metro section of the Plain Dealer yesterday about a pilot killed in an ultra light. Jonathan Gamble, 65, died at the Portage County Airport just after take off. He was a very experienced pilot.The death rate for general aviation is much higher than for commercial aviation. The April 11, 2007 issue of JAMA examines this and why with improved technology and training, not much has changed in the last 30 years. General aviation flights are 82 times riskier, and account for most of the deaths and injuries caused by flying. JAMA. 2007;297:1596-1598.
- In an examination of the crash risk of private flights, researchers found that general aviation flights averaged 1,685 crashes and 583 deaths each year from 2002 to 2005, accounting for 91 percent of all aviation crashes and 94 percent of all aviation deaths. Small aircraft flying at low altitudes make general aviation flights especially vulnerable to adverse weather conditions. For general aviation pilots, flying out of “see and avoid” conditions into conditions that require them to fly using their instruments is the most perilous scenario for pilots who have not obtained an instrument rating. Additional risk factors include pilots flying while intoxicated, sudden incapacitation (heart attack or other health issue), older age, being male, having a nonconformist flying style (e.g. being a daredevil) and having a prior record of an aviation crash or violation. Physician pilots are also found to crash at a higher rate per flight hour than other pilots. From a summary in a press release
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4 comments:
I'm reminded of Mark Twain's observation about statistics when I read such stories.
Agreed, there's a higher number of physician pilots and daredevils who drill themselves into the ground. However, the summary never mentions the continually disproportionate number of fatalities that always occur in Alaska (extreme weather and terrain conditions), and conviently picked a time frame where no major airline crashes occured.
Additionally, you have to be careful not to overstate what a "crash" is. Taxing up to the gas pumps in your little puddle jumper and accidently bumping another airplane is not a "crash," although it's pretty easy to call it one if you don't read the NTSB stats carefully.
I had to laugh at the reason "being male"
I know dozens of private pilots...many of who are ex military who are VERY safe AND sane. However there are a couple small planes known as "doctor Killers" because they have been a favorite with doctors (who can afford the price...but are too arrogant to really take the time to learn to fly) sigh.
(My 19 year old daughter is just finishing up her flight lessons. And she is a very cognizant of the details)
I don't have the article in front of me, but I think it does mention Alaska, and the non-fatal accidents. Peer reviewed, top ranked journals usually do pay attention to that, and these authors are not beginners.
Norma
The founder of Alaska Airlines died in a plane crash June 28. He had spent the last 16 years of his life in Christian mission work. Bruce Knnedy, 1938-2007.
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