- Fixed-wing aircraft
It is worth noting that the air industry's insurers base their calculations on the "number of deaths per journey" statistic while the industry itself generally uses the "number of deaths per kilometre" statistic in press releases. [ [http://space.newscientist.com/article/mg16321985.200-flight-into-danger.html Flight into danger - 07 August 1999 - New Scientist Space ] ]
Causes
The majority of aircraft accidents are a result of human error on the part of the pilot(s) or controller(s). After human error, mechanical failure is the biggest cause of air accidents, which sometimes also can involve a human component; e.g., negligence of the airline in carrying out proper maintenance. Adverse weather is the third largest cause of accidents. Icing,
downbursts , and low visibility are often major contributors to weather related crashes. Birds have been ranked as a major cause for large rotor bursts on commercial turboprop engines, spurring extra safety measures to keep birds away. Technological advances such asice detector s also help pilots ensure the safety of their aircraft.Environmental impact
ee also
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Aircraft
*Aircraft flight mechanics
*Aviation
*Aviation history
*List of altitude records reached by different aircraft types
*Rotorcraft
*Decalage Notes
References
* In 1903 when the Wright brothers used the word "aeroplane" it meant wing, not the whole aircraft. See text of their patent. [http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT821393&id=h5NWAAAAEBAJ&dq=821,393|U.S. U.S. Patent 821,393] — Wright brothers' patent for "Flying Machine"
* Blatner, David. "The Flying Book : Everything You've Ever Wondered About Flying On Airplanes". ISBN 0-8027-7691-4External links
* [http://www.airliners.net/info/ Airliners.net]
* [http://www.aerospaceweb.org/ Aerospaceweb.org]
* [http://travel.howstuffworks.com/airplane.htm How Airplanes Work - Howstuffworks.com]
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