On Jan. 29, American Airlines Flight No. 5342 crashed into a Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. All 64 passengers of the crash died, raising concerns amongst the American nation. A helicopter, carrying three soldiers, crashed into the airplane approaching a runway. It proved to be the deadliest plane crash in the United States since 2001, according to ABC News.
Just two days later, a small medical transport plane crashed into several buildings in the city of Philadelphia, killing seven, and leaving two dozen others injured. The recent news of back-to-back plane crashes has many wondering if they are safe to fly.
In addition to recent tragedies, many planes have claimed close calls. A Japanese airline clipped a parked Delta plane at the Seattle airport and a United Airlines plane caught fire during takeoff at the Houston airport after an engine problem. Airlines have experienced not only safety issues, but also security issues. Two stowaways were found dead inside the wheel wells of two different planes, and two stowaways were arrested on flights in November and December. A man also opened the emergency exit door on a plane while it was taking off.
Media outlets have covered the recent aviation crashes and incidents extensively because such accidents are extremely rare. Federal officials have raised concerns for years about the overtaxed and understaffed air traffic control system. According to a report from the Federal Aviation Administration, as of September 2023, “only 70% of staffing positions were filled by fully-certified controllers.” President Donald Trump blamed the Jan. 29 collision on the “obsolete” air traffic control system that airports rely on, promising to replace it. On the night of the Washington collision, one controller was communicating with both helicopters and planes, a job typically split between two people, according to CNN.
The U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy made an appearance on Fox News to assure travelers that despite recent incidents, air travel is “way safer than traveling in a car and train.” Yet, Americans are still fearing for their safety. The recent crashes sparked conspiracy theories all over the internet. Some argue that the helicopter crashing into the airplane could have been motivated by terrorism. Others say that the crash could not possibly be an accident.
As someone who has a fear of flying, I think the fear relies on the idea of control. In a car, when driving, there is a feeling of owning control over the situation, albeit unrealistic. On a plane, control is surrendered. Whether stemming from a fear of heights, terrorism, or turbulence, plane anxiety affects an estimated 25 million adults in the United States, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The recent plane crashes have spiked such anxiety. More focus on training — and not overworking — air traffic controllers could prevent such crashes.
But another security issue also raises alarm about the safety of flying. GNSS spoofing, a form of electronic warfare, uses fake signals to confuse aircraft navigation and safety systems. The issue continues to affect civilian flights worldwide, as more than 1,100 flights in August of 2024 received such fake signals. The signals range from sudden clock resets to false terrain warnings to unexpected flight path deviations. Spoofing has posed some disruption to flights, but not any major safety risks. Yet, such fake signals could lead to an emergency in air traffic control.
Flying continues to remain the safest form of transportation in the United States, but taking extra precautions and remaining vigilant remains necessary. The FAA must take more steps to protect Americans so they can continue to rely on aviation as a safe form of travel. If fear of flying continues to spike, it could lead to negative economic consequences for the airline industry and the corresponding job sector. The FAA needs attention and funding to ensure proper care of their employees and keep up with modern technology.
