A recent investigation by The New York Times has revealed that the safety net of air travel in the United States is deteriorating, putting passengers at risk of potential tragedies. While there has not been a fatal crash involving a major U.S. airline since 2009, close calls have been occurring multiple times a week. The investigation highlighted a harrowing example in Austin, Texas, where two planes were moments away from colliding. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledged that the incident should never have happened. The fraying air safety system is attributed to deferred maintenance, inadequate infrastructure, air traffic control personnel/training issues, inclement weather, and the increasing number of flights. In addition to this safety concern, experts warn that cities are ill-prepared for the age of flying taxis, which is closer than expected.
'Flying gondola’ aims to make air mobility more passenger-friendly https://t.co/plaGw61u45
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
The age of flying taxis is a lot closer than people may expect, and cities aren't ready for it, experts say. https://t.co/2fHbK53ZkR
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. “The close call in Austin should have never happened,” an FAA spokesman said. https://t.co/hx5JFO0gPV
Near collisions of planes on runways: another example of 🇺🇸 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
Pilot video showing just how close planes really fly is freaking out some travelers https://t.co/YXwr2Z1PAV