Airplanes - Kings of Safety Every airplane crash becomes worldwide news. We see the debris, hear the number of victims, and fear seeps into our souls: "Flying is dangerous." Paradox: car accidents claim hundreds of times more lives, but they don't make the news. Cars are lumped into statistics, airplanes into legends. But if you look at the numbers, the airplane is the safest mode of transportation on the planet. Let's figure out why. Statistics: The Myth of Aviation Mortality In 2025, about 350 people died in aviation accidents worldwide (including general aviation). At the same time, in road traffic accidents, over 1.2 million. The likelihood of dying in a single flight is 1 in 11 million. The likelihood of dying in a car ride is 1 in 5,000. To be involved in an aviation accident, you would have to fly every day for 10,000 years. The risk of even being struck by lightning is higher (1 in 700,000). Statistics are unyielding: airplanes are kings of safety. Why Are Airplanes So Safe There are many reasons. System redundancy: an airplane has 2-4 engines, 3 hydraulic systems, several generators, and reserve instruments. If one engine fails, the airplane can fly on the other. Pilot training: they train on simulators for years, undergo a medical examination every 6 months, and alcohol checks. Technical maintenance: every airplane is inspected before every flight, and every 2-3 years undergoes a deep inspection (C-check, D-check). Modern materials: composites stronger than steel, avionics with warning of stalls, TCAS (airborne collision avoidance system). International standards: ICAO dictates rules that are the same for all countries. The Safest Airplanes in History Boeing 777 - no accidents for 30 years of operation (except for being shot down by a missile and hit by volcanic ash, but not for technical reasons). Airbus A380 - no casualties. Bombardier CRJ - good statistics. Airplanes recognized as unreliable (Boeing 737 MAX after two accidents) have been rew ... Read more