In the last three months, there has been an increase in flight problems leading to concerns about air safety, especially with Boeing planes. Despite the lack of fatal crashes in the US over the past 15 years, a spate of close calls have caught the attention of regulators and travelers. Emergency calls to air traffic controllers have been rising since mid-January but remain below previous levels. Despite these concerns, flying remains a safer mode of transportation compared to driving.
A shortage of air traffic controllers, outdated plane-tracking technology, and other issues present a growing threat to safety in the sky, according to a panel of experts. Many recent incidents have involved Boeing planes, damaging the company’s reputation. Manufacturing flaws, including missing bolts that caused a panel to blow off an Alaska Airlines jet, have led to increased oversight from regulators. CEO David Calhoun has acknowledged Boeing’s accountability for these issues.
Problems attributed to an aircraft manufacturer can vary, from design errors to issues on the factory floor. Design errors, such as a single sensor failure causing the nose of the plane to point down, have raised concerns about the safety of Boeing planes. Manufacturing quality has also been called into question, with incidents like faulty installation causing issues in flight. Investigations into some incidents have revealed lapses in maintenance, as well as errors by pilots or air traffic controllers.
Not all incidents can be attributed to Boeing, as investigations have shown likely lapses in maintenance and other factors. While some incidents, such as an American Airlines jet overshooting a runway or a tire falling off a United Airlines jet, may be related to maintenance issues, others are due to errors by air traffic controllers or pilots. Aviation industry officials prioritize events involving flight controls, engines, and structural integrity, while routine issues like cracked windshields are considered less serious.
Despite the recent increase in flight problems and concerns about air safety, flying remains a safe mode of transportation compared to driving. While incidents involving Boeing planes have raised concerns about design and manufacturing flaws, not all issues can be attributed to the company. Investigations into recent incidents have revealed various causes, including lapses in maintenance, errors by pilots, or air traffic controller mistakes. Maintaining vigilance and addressing safety concerns are crucial to ensuring the continued safety of air travel.
