Dr. Steve Wright reflects on the tragic collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter at Reagan National Airport, resulting in over 60 fatalities. With 25 years in civilian aerospace and expertise in unmanned aerial vehicles, Wright notes that this disaster likely stemmed from a combination of minor oversights amidst a challenging airport situation. He highlights the advancements in aviation safety—emphasizing a 2024 MIT study showing the fatal accident rate has drastically improved over decades, while reiterating the complexities involved in air traffic management and safety measurements.
Aircraft design, automation, enhanced ATC, and global safety initiatives have actually drastically reduced accident rates over the years. A 2024 study from MIT found that the chance of a fatal accident on a commercial flight was about one in 350,000. But now, that chance has dropped to one in 13.7 million.
It seems likely to have involved a tragic convergence of minor events. The airport was at or above capacity, requiring the ATC itself already overstretched to redirect the passenger jet.
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