The safety net of air travel in the United States is deteriorating, putting passengers at risk of potential tragedies. Although there hasn't been a fatal crash involving a major U.S. airline since 2009, The New York Times investigation reveals that close calls have been occurring multiple times a week. One example cited is a near collision of planes on a runway in Austin. The incident highlights the combination of deferred maintenance and infrastructure, air traffic control personnel and training issues, inclement weather, and the increasing number of flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledges that the close call in Austin should never have happened. Another incident mentioned is a deadly mid-air collision at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, where a preliminary investigation suggests confusion among pilots just before the crash, but provides little insight into the cause. Overall, the report emphasizes the fraying air safety system in the U.S. and the need for improvements to prevent future accidents.
There has not been a fatal crash involving a major U.S. airline since 2009, but close calls have been happening, on average, multiple times a week this year. https://t.co/TQDusgwRjE
A preliminary investigation of a deadly mid-air collision at the National Championship Air Races in Reno last month suggests there was confusion among pilots just before the crash, but sheds little light on why. https://t.co/5P4ldVszb5
Two planes were moments from colliding in Texas, a harrowing example of the fraying air safety system in the U.S., a New York Times investigation found. βThe close call in Austin should have never happened,β an FAA spokesman said. https://t.co/hx5JFO0gPV
Near collisions of planes on runways: another example of πΊπΈ deferred maintenance/infra, but from an air traffic control personnel/training standpoint. Combined w/ inclement weather, and more flights than ever. (This example in Austin from early 2023): https://t.co/drqV4hCq7F
The safety net that underpins air travel is fraying, exposing passengers to potential tragedies. There has not been a fatal crash involving a major U.S. airline since 2009, but close calls have been happening multiple times a week, The Times found. https://t.co/ktNKo8WYC2
The safety net that underpins air travel is fraying, exposing passengers to potential tragedies. There has not been a fatal crash involving a major U.S. airline since 2009, but close calls have been happening multiple times a week, The Times found. https://t.co/DNVDxkEOad