What Is With All The Scary Airplane Incidents This Year?!

OneEyedDiva

OneEyedDiva

SF VIP
Location
New Jersey
There have been near misses on runways with planes taxi-ing in or out. There were close calls in the skies too. Of course there was the infamous Boeing jet losing its door midflight. There have also been several private, single engine plane crashes this year. In some cases, it seems like air traffic controllers dropped the ball.
This is the most recent incident:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/delta-plane-clips-plane-knocks-off-tail-taxiway/story?id=113551143

A list of incidents for the U.S. You can use the filter to look for other countries.
https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/year/2024/1/N
 

I've noticed this, too. I'm guessing it's a combination of things...more air traffic, less experienced air traffic controllers and pilots, and airlines skimping on construction and maintenance costs.

And maybe planes are faster, so runways that have been in use for many decades are too short. Also, climate change is causing changes in wind speed and temperatures, and probably wind elevations, too. Warm air rises faster, and that would effect lift and maneuverability during take-offs and landings.
 
With maybe 140,000 take offs a day in the world the odds go up on accidents and even on safety ?
Remember no damage insurance in Work Parking Lots, Door Dings, Flats, Dead Batteries.
Are they watching their phones / Instrument Panel Flat Screens?
_____________
I was at a hurricane Car Wash the other day and the guy was watching his phone while directing me in.
I patiently sat and waited a bit for him to realize I wasn't doing it until he quit. 3 of 4 high speed blower were
out and the rinse for wax didn't work. Soon they have no customers. It was a month ago it started going bad.
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Teacher Terry said:
I’m flying to Kansas in 2 weeks to visit my family and it doesn’t give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
Click to expand...
I'm flying to Washington, D.C. in 2 weeks. My wife expressed concern, but the way I see it is, flying is still far safer than driving on the highway, so I'm not worried.

That said, it's ridiculous they can't manage traffic at an airport. I mean, with all the modern technology available, they can't tell when two giant objects are about to run into each other? I think they just don't want to spend the money on safety.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
There have been near misses on runways with planes taxi-ing in or out. There were close calls in the skies too. Of course there was the infamous Boeing jet losing its door midflight. There have also been several private, single engine plane crashes this year. In some cases, it seems like air traffic controllers dropped the ball.
This is the most recent incident:
Delta flight clips another plane on taxiway at Atlanta airport, knocks off smaller plane's tail

A list of incidents for the U.S. You can use the filter to look for other countries.
Aviation Safety Network > > ASN Aviation Safety Database results
Click to expand...
Here's an eye opening page that may clear up some of your questions. Quite the interactive site.
The sky's a mighty busy place.

ADS-B Exchange - track aircraft live
 
Went on a business trip in May .... that clearly showed me the complete unprofessional-ism NOW in the industry....Flying use to be civilized.
Too busy ...not room for "what if" or minor issues all while the " customers" the flying public has zero patience or basic give a hoot about anything but themselves.
No airports seem to have same rules .... on TSA security or anything else... like # of carry-ons etc. the disconnect often leads to arguments about "they let me last time etc." I have seen black Friday sales run smoother.......

Even flight crews one announced "please let anyone late for connection off first" .......first leg of trip almost no one sat and let them go..
Their life schedule was too important. Next leg of trip passengers did let that happen. Announcements at airport all sounded like mouthful of marbles or jaw wired shut.... no clear communication thus resulting in 10 people going up to ask what they said or people guessing what was said delaying the tasks of gate agent. .

EVERY flight that charged per bag end up begging people to check last minute for free .....because they did NOT have overhead storage for everyone. was a waste of time for all to have to wait to take off by the begging people to check bags.

Starts with any delay people lose their minds .... no communication or plan .... delayed travel and when we landed we had to wait in line... to taxi to gate ... planes acting like a parking lot backing up and each one needing to slam on brakes to not touch. all seemed very sloppy....
 
Murrmurr said:
I've noticed this, too. I'm guessing it's a combination of things...more air traffic, less experienced air traffic controllers and pilots, and airlines skimping on construction and maintenance costs.

And maybe planes are faster, so runways that have been in use for many decades are too short. Also, climate change is causing changes in wind speed and temperatures, and probably wind elevations, too. Warm air rises faster, and that would effect lift and maneuverability during take-offs and landings.
Click to expand...

Good points Murr. I also have seen news reports that said air traffic controllers work too many hours and there's not enough of them. Not at all good for the safety of those flying.
Jeni said:
Went on a business trip in May .... that clearly showed me the complete unprofessional-ism NOW in the industry....Flying use to be civilized.
Too busy ...not room for "what if" or minor issues all while the " customers" the flying public has zero patience or basic give a hoot about anything but themselves.
No airports seem to have same rules .... on TSA security or anything else... like # of carry-ons etc. the disconnect often leads to arguments about "they let me last time etc." I have seen black Friday sales run smoother.......

Even flight crews one announced "please let anyone late for connection off first" .......first leg of trip almost no one sat and let them go..
Their life schedule was too important. Next leg of trip passengers did let that happen. Announcements at airport all sounded like mouthful of marbles or jaw wired shut.... no clear communication thus resulting in 10 people going up to ask what they said or people guessing what was said delaying the tasks of gate agent. .

EVERY flight that charged per bag end up begging people to check last minute for free .....because they did NOT have overhead storage for everyone. was a waste of time for all to have to wait to take off by the begging people to check bags.

Starts with any delay people lose their minds .... no communication or plan .... delayed travel and when we landed we had to wait in line... to taxi to gate ... planes acting like a parking lot backing up and each one needing to slam on brakes to not touch. all seemed very sloppy....
Click to expand...
Sad state of affairs Jeni ! My BFF and I often talk about how lax things have become when dealing with various businesses. It seems the work ethics of the past have gone out the door. That kind of laxness is certainly a very bad thing when it comes to airport security and airplane safety. I haven't flown in decades and have no desire to. All these incidences just add to that lack of desire. I'm including incidences at TSA check points, which were the catalyst for my personal boycott of the airlines.

@squatting dog Interesting link. Thank you for sharing.

@HermitHogan Flying may be safer than driving, but a big issue, especially over the past year, has been severe delays. Will scheduled flights leave on time, or tomorrow, or the next day, etc.? God forbid one has to make it to a wedding or connect with a cruise. Blessedly my loved ones who have flown didn't encounter that problem, but hundreds of others did. Sleeping on an airport floor for two nights is not my idea of a good time.
 
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OneEyedDiva said:
Sad state of affairs Jeni ! My BFF and I often talk about how lax things have become when dealing with various businesses. It seems the work ethics of the past have gone out the door. That kind of laxness is certainly a very bad thing when it comes to airport security and airplane safety. I haven't flown in decades and have no desire to. All these incidences just add to that lack of desire. I'm including incidences at TSA check points, which were the catalyst for my personal boycott of the airlines.
Click to expand...

The work ethic thing is all over the place ... in every industry, profession sadly.
 
There is a plethora of reasons as to what’s going on with all the runway incursions and small plane crashes.

I know the airlines were effected by the COVID rule of no shot, no job, so the airlines were forced to hire whatever was available, including pilots that had been fired by other airlines. The ATC’s or Air Traffic Controllers are government jobs and because of that, they were also included in the “get the shot or get out” program.

Pilots are fired for any number of reasons, including not passing their check flight, which is a flight they are graded on by a Senior Captain sitting in the jump seat behind the Captain. Another reason to be fired is if they fail a drug or alcohol test, which is given randomly. As a pilot, I may show up at the airport for my flight and handed a specimen jar. That happened at least 3-4 times per year, sometimes back to back. Breaking the FAA rules or the airlines’ policies. Any sexist or homophobe language is also not acceptable. Of course, if too many pilots complain about another pilot using bad judgment. As a pilot, you must be an excellent aviator.

To me, there was no better job than flying. I always told my pilots that I was training to use the simulator as often as possible and practice for the unusual things that can pop up without warning like a blown engine or a stuck landing gear.

My opinion of small planes is that too many of those pilots want to rush through their training so they can get their license. Slower is better and many of them fail to study their manuals. These small planes are not allowed into certain areas around the airport. Mostly these are the areas where the big jets are taking off and-or landing. If I am 2 miles from the airport and I still need to descend 1500 feet to the landing strip, the last thing I need is to see a small Piper or Cessna in my zone. This has happened and forced me to do a go around, which costs the airline a lot of money due to the amount of fuel I will burn.

Runway incursions are caused by pilots not paying attention to their instructions if either going to the runway or going back to the terminal. I’m not sure what caused the one plane to clip the other one. I would venture to guess that either the pilot being pushed back didn’t have clearance to do so by the ground controller or the ground controller gave the pilot of the plane being pushed back bad instructions. Normally the Controller will say, “United 231 clear for pushback after the Delta clears you from behind.” If the person driving the tug begins to pushback too soo, there will be contact between the two planes. Both the pilot and the tug driver hears the instructions.

Right now, there are shortages of all kinds of jobs in aviation, including pilots, flight attendants, baggage handlers, gate agents and ground personnel.
I hoped this helped to explain “some” of the issues being faced at this time.
 
Remember that everything is reported and published. It does not mean that there is an overall problem. Just that there have been reports.
The airports are busy, the airways are busy. It's just a fact of growth and a problem that may require attention.
 
oldman said:
There is a plethora of reasons as to what’s going on with all the runway incursions and small plane crashes.

I know the airlines were effected by the COVID rule of no shot, no job, so the airlines were forced to hire whatever was available, including pilots that had been fired by other airlines. The ATC’s or Air Traffic Controllers are government jobs and because of that, they were also included in the “get the shot or get out” program.

Pilots are fired for any number of reasons, including not passing their check flight, which is a flight they are graded on by a Senior Captain sitting in the jump seat behind the Captain. Another reason to be fired is if they fail a drug or alcohol test, which is given randomly. As a pilot, I may show up at the airport for my flight and handed a specimen jar. That happened at least 3-4 times per year, sometimes back to back. Breaking the FAA rules or the airlines’ policies. Any sexist or homophobe language is also not acceptable. Of course, if too many pilots complain about another pilot using bad judgment. As a pilot, you must be an excellent aviator.

To me, there was no better job than flying. I always told my pilots that I was training to use the simulator as often as possible and practice for the unusual things that can pop up without warning like a blown engine or a stuck landing gear.

My opinion of small planes is that too many of those pilots want to rush through their training so they can get their license. Slower is better and many of them fail to study their manuals. These small planes are not allowed into certain areas around the airport. Mostly these are the areas where the big jets are taking off and-or landing. If I am 2 miles from the airport and I still need to descend 1500 feet to the landing strip, the last thing I need is to see a small Piper or Cessna in my zone. This has happened and forced me to do a go around, which costs the airline a lot of money due to the amount of fuel I will burn.

Runway incursions are caused by pilots not paying attention to their instructions if either going to the runway or going back to the terminal. I’m not sure what caused the one plane to clip the other one. I would venture to guess that either the pilot being pushed back didn’t have clearance to do so by the ground controller or the ground controller gave the pilot of the plane being pushed back bad instructions. Normally the Controller will say, “United 231 clear for pushback after the Delta clears you from behind.” If the person driving the tug begins to pushback too soo, there will be contact between the two planes. Both the pilot and the tug driver hears the instructions.

Right now, there are shortages of all kinds of jobs in aviation, including pilots, flight attendants, baggage handlers, gate agents and ground personnel.
I hoped this helped to explain “some” of the issues being faced at this time.
Click to expand...
These explanations definitely give a better overall picture of what problems exist Oldman. Thank you for taking the time.
 
the Information Age, as coined, gives you everything without context and therein lies the problem. The journalist wishing to make or establish himself takes what information he wants and that serves his purpose and then infuses it with other unrelated facts that paints a completely different picture.
He publishes in a newspaper and you read. There is a certain validity in being published and we all feel that what we read in print is valid.
IT IS NOT!
We live in a world where pictures, videos and text can be manipulated. SO THE TRUTH BECOMES AN ISSUE.
Simply printed is not truth, regardless of where it came from.
sorry folks, but common sense is the last bastion and defense.
 
I hope this post is OK with management, but if it isn't he or she will take it down and that's fine. I know some forums do not approve of ads.

If anyone has a grandchild that is in need of a job, please ask them if they would be interested in working for an airline or the U.S. Government. I have spoken with a lot of people in aviation and they keep telling me that most all airports are looking for help. Many of these jobs do not require any experience. They can work for TSA, which is a government job and pays well and includes great benefits. They are in desperate need. Also in need are Air Traffic Controllers, which will give free training or offer the candidate paid training away from the airport at a certified school. Excellent pay, hours and benefits.

Also there are many jobs working for the airlines. From baggage handlers to pilots, there is a need for help right now. Pilots require a license and Flight Attendants get OTJ Training. All of the airlines that I know about offer good wages and benefits. If the grandchild has any mechanical experience, some airlines offer apprenticeships to become a certified jet engine mechanic. Or, maybe they would like to be a Gate Agent or a Marshall, which pushes back the planes from their gate and guides the incoming aircraft to their gate and parking spot. And, best of all, free travel for you and a companion is offered by most airlines.

Thank you for reading.
 
oldman said:
I hope this post is OK with management, but if it isn't he or she will take it down and that's fine. I know some forums do not approve of ads.

If anyone has a grandchild that is in need of a job, please ask them if they would be interested in working for an airline or the U.S. Government. I have spoken with a lot of people in aviation and they keep telling me that most all airports are looking for help. Many of these jobs do not require any experience. They can work for TSA, which is a government job and pays well and includes great benefits. They are in desperate need. Also in need are Air Traffic Controllers, which will give free training or offer the candidate paid training away from the airport at a certified school. Excellent pay, hours and benefits.

Also there are many jobs working for the airlines. From baggage handlers to pilots, there is a need for help right now. Pilots require a license and Flight Attendants get OTJ Training. All of the airlines that I know about offer good wages and benefits. If the grandchild has any mechanical experience, some airlines offer apprenticeships to become a certified jet engine mechanic. Or, maybe they would like to be a Gate Agent or a Marshall, which pushes back the planes from their gate and guides the incoming aircraft to their gate and parking spot. And, best of all, free travel for you and a companion is offered by most airlines.

Thank you for reading.
Click to expand...
Air traffic controller would be on the list of jobs I'd never want to work at. From what I understand it's a very stressful job and one can't miss a beat. To do so could endanger hundreds of lives. @oldman It was nice of you to post this, however.
 
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OneEyedDiva said:
Good points Murr. I also have seen news reports that said air traffic controllers work too many hours and there's not enough of them. Not at all good for the safety of those flying.

Sad state of affairs Jeni ! My BFF and I often talk about how lax things have become when dealing with various businesses. It seems the work ethics of the past have gone out the door. That kind of laxness is certainly a very bad thing when it comes to airport security and airplane safety. I haven't flown in decades and have no desire to. All these incidences just add to that lack of desire. I'm including incidences at TSA check points, which were the catalyst for my personal boycott of the airlines.

@squatting dog Interesting link. Thank you for sharing.

@HermitHogan Flying may be safer than driving, but a big issue, especially over the past year, has been severe delays. Will scheduled flights leave on time, or tomorrow, or the next day, etc.? God forbid one has to make it to a wedding or connect with a cruise. Blessedly my loved ones who have flown didn't encounter that problem, but hundreds of others did. Sleeping on an airport floor for two nights is not my idea of a good time.
Click to expand...
ATC jobs are controlled by the FAA. I think they are only allowed to work no more than 10 hours per shift in the U.S. If they work seven consecutive days, they must be allowed to have two days off. They also have a retirement age of 56. In the larger airports, their job is very stressful, especially if they are handling multiple planes that are in their zone. It's not a job for the weak at heart.
Michael Z said:
If you want to know about the challenges of flying a jet, watch the MentourPilot channel on YouTube. I won’t list all the things that can go wrong here, as it might be a bit upsetting to some.
Click to expand...
I watch him occasionally, but I sometimes think it’s best to have a little knowledge of aviation because he doesn’t explain things at times for the layman to understand. I also try to catch Captain Joe, who just became a Captain not too long ago and a pilot named Kelsey that flew the 747’s as a F/O. MentourPilot flew the B-737. At this time, he isn’t flying. I don’t know if he plans to return or not.

ATC jobs are very stressful. I have made a few trips up on top of the ATC Control Tower and I sit, listen and watch in amazement at how some of the more efficient ATC’s operate multiple aircraft at the same time. They do get a well deserved break like every 2 hours or less.
 
The MentourPilot videos are made for pilots but I am starting to catch on a little. I appreciate all the technical detail even if 95% of it is way over my head.
 

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