DISASTER MANAGEMENT
How to survive and save lives in an aviation accident.
By- Bhrigu Warthe
Class- 9
Section- G
Admission Number- H-0304-21
Table Of Contents
What is a plane crash? What are its causes
What is an aviation accident?
The rare occurrence in which an aircraft collides with the ground or
with the water due to a malfunction or by the intention of the pilot is
called an aviation accident or a plane crash. In a recent Harvard
study it was stated that the chances of your plane crashing is 1 in
11 million1. Loose odds but its good to be prepared than to be sorry.
What causes an aviation accident?
Aircraft never crash because of one single issue. It’s almost always
a combination of factors that lead to an accident. Whilst flying is
extremely safe, the typical reasons as to why planes crash include
pilot error, technical failures, bad weather, terrorism, and pilot
fatigue.
A few statistics2 are given below which show why planes crash as
often as they do
● 55% Pilot Error
● 17% Aircraft Mechanical Error
● 13% Weather
● 8% Sabotage
● 7% Other (ATC, Ground Handling, Unknown)
The Swiss Cheese Model
Aircraft accidents never occur due to one specific reason, there are
always a multitude of factors which combine and result in an
aircraft incident or accident.
An example might be pilot fatigue, coupled with bad weather and a
technical problem. If any one of these single factors were not
present, the crash wouldn’t have happened. In the industry, this is
called the “Swiss Cheese Model” based on academic theory by
James Reason3.
If you imagine lots of different slices of Swiss Cheese, from
different blocks of cheese, all lined up next to each other, the
chances are that you won’t be able to see all the way through one of
the holes to the end, as the holes will all be in different places.
Each slice of cheese represents an individual factor such as fatigue,
poor weather or poor standard of training. On the rare occasion that
all the holes line up together, an accident can occur.
What is the most dangerous phase of a flight?
According to Boeing, The data released between 2005-14 states
that the planes crash in these phases4-
13% Take-off
8% Climb
27% Cruise
17% Decent Initial Approach
38% Final Approach / Landing
What are some guidelines?
1.Have a plan
Most injuries and fatalities that occur during airplane accidents are
caused by fire or by the impact of the crash itself. No matter where
you are seated on the plane in relation to where a fire or impact
occurs, your chances of survival are much greater if you’re prepared
and ready to act. Before you fly, you should have an emergency
plan, know it, and be ready to execute it.
2.Pay attention to the safety briefing
Fifty percent of airline passengers report not paying attention
during the pre-flight safety presentation, and eighty-nine percent
don’t read the safety information cards in the seat-back pockets in
front of them. For every flight you are on, you should know where all
safety devices and features, like life jackets, are stored and how to
access them in case of emergency.
Every aircraft has different safety features and procedures, so it’s a
mistake to assume you are already familiar with the pertinent safety
information. Even experienced flyers should pay attention to the
safety aids provided as this information could be essential during
an emergency.
3.The plus 3, Minus 8 Rule
The name of the plus three, minus eight rule refers to the fact that
eighty percent of all plane crashes occur during takeoff and landing
– the first three minutes and final eight minutes of the flight,
respectively. Remain aware and alert during this time – don’t read
or otherwise distract yourself. Be ready, if necessary, to execute
your plan. Another recommendation from the experts: have your
shoes on during this time, just in case.
4.The Holy Grail- Seatbelts
It’s probably not a shock that passengers who are wearing seat
belts during airplane crashes are much more likely to survive than
those who aren’t. What may surprise you is how many passengers
reported losing valuable time due to difficulty removing their seat
belts. Unlike car seat belts, seat belts in aircraft usually don’t
release with the push of a button. While it’s important to wear your
seat belt whenever you’re seated during your flight, it’s equally
important to take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with its
operation, by sight and by touch, so that in the event of an
emergency, you’ll be able to release the belt, even if the cabin is
dark.
What to follow while crashing?
In the unlikely event that your plane suffered a catastrophic failure
given below are some measure you can use to protect yourself-
1. Brace for impact
Evidence shows that assuming the brace position or crash
position as instructed in the pre-flight safety presentation prior
to impact greatly increases your chances of not only surviving
a plane crash, but reducing the chances of severe injury if you
do survive. Fatalities in plane crashes are more likely to result
from impact injuries than any other single cause. There are
numerous reports of accidents where most passengers died
and only a few walked away, reporting that they had been in
the brace position at the time of impact. When performed
properly, the brace position reduces injury to the head, neck,
and legs. It also helps prevent whiplash, keeps you from flying
around the interior of the cabin, and protects you from flying
objects, at least to a certain extent.
How do you perform this? Simple, Just-
Place your feet flat on the floor, as far back under your knees
as possible to reduce shin injury. If you can reach the seat in
front of you, place one hand palm down on the back or top of
the seat. Cross the other hand palm down over the first hand.
Rest your forehead against your hands. Don’t lace your
fingers.Alternately, you can rest your head against the seat in
front if you. Lace your fingers behind your head, cradling the
sides of your head with your arms.If you can’t reach the seat in
front of you or there isn’t one, bend forward with your chest on
your thighs, cross your wrists and grab your ankles. You can
also grab your calves, with the wrists uncrossed, or lace your
fingers behind your head, cradling the sides of your head with
your arms.
2.Use the oxygen mask
If the cabin becomes depressurized, you have 15-20 seconds to put
on your oxygen mask before you become unconscious. Put it on
immediately, before assisting children or other passengers. You’re
no good to anyone if you’re unconscious during an emergency.
3.Hold on to something solid
In the event of a free fall or if the plane breaks apart in mid-air, you
should hold on to the most solid, substantial thing you can find. It
may sound improbable but there are instances where people have
actually ridden solid objects like seats or other parts of the plane
and survived falls of thousands of feet without a parachute.
4.Listen to the staff and the pilots
During these events there is no one more prepared than the cabin
crew and the pilots. They have been trained for such situations and
we must trust them and their decisions. Follow all their guidelines
properly and be attentive.
After the crash, procedures and facts.
Surviving a plane crash is no easy feat. Once you achieve that the
hardest part is over. Now all you must do is remain calm and follow
these guidelines-
1.Follow Instructions
Flight crews are trained to know how to respond in the event
of a crash. Listen to them and follow their instructions. Just
like last time they have the most wisdom so it is paramount to
trust them fully.
2.Get out now
Fatality rates increase significantly after the first 90 seconds
following a plane crash. Follow the instructions of the cabin
crew, but if they’re dazed, disoriented, or dead, don’t wait. Get
out of the cabin as fast as you can and as far from the plane
as possible.If the nearest exit is behind you and accessible,
ignore the human propensity to move forward rather than
backward and move to the rearward exit. Assess the exit for
safety – look out the window to see if there are any hazards
present. If so, proceed to the exit on the opposite side of the
plane or the next closest exit.
Leave your luggage. Don’t waste valuable time looking for
belongings that mean little in a life or death situation. If
necessary, you can return to the plane later for anything that’s
salvageable.
3.Don't Climb Seats
Studies have shown that following a plane crash, most seat
climbers do so because other avenues are blocked and they
are simply moving around the obstruction. Research suggests
that passengers within two rows of an exit, on the other hand,
may attempt to climb seats if the aisle is congested in order to
reach the exit more quickly. However, the result is that the exit
row becomes even more congested, increasing the time it
takes for all passengers, including the seat climbers, to exit.
4.Stay low
Most fatalities are due to post-crash smoke, fumes, and fire. In
case of smoke or other fumes in the cabin, be prepared to stay
as low as possible while still evacuating the plane as quickly
as you can. Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth,
moistened if possible.
5.Move away from the plane
The plane may explode or erupt in fire. However, stay in the
vicinity of the crash so that rescuers can find you.
6.Assess the situation
Do you have any wounds that need to be cared for? If you’re
bleeding, apply pressure immediately. Assist others with basic
first aid if you’re able.
7.Stay in the area
Rescuers will arrive as soon as possible. Stay in the area so
they can find you.
Bibliography
1- https://theweek.com/articles/462449/odds-are-11-million-1-that-youll-die-plane-crash
2- Boeing, 2005-2014
3- https://www.flightdeckfriend.com/ask-a-pilot/why-do-planes-crash/
4- Boeing 2005-2014
5- https://www.theflightexpert.com/
6-https://www.flightdeckfriend.com/
