Some people’s top concern has been safety after the recent mid-air crash near Washington, DC’s Regan National Airport claimed 67 lives, making it the biggest US aviation tragedy in decades.
Before taking off, some pilots have made it a point to reassure passengers that they are in good hands. Several of them may be heard in videos that are becoming viral on social media. The description for one video said, “The American Airlines captain just said the exact words that I (and everyone else) needed to hear.”
“I’ve seen some of those videos, and I think they’re touching, and I think overall, they do help,” aviation assistant professor Scott Miller, a more than 20-year veteran of commercial airlines, said. “I’ve been stopped a couple of times in the airport concourses or TSA lines, people asking me what did I think, and ultimately, getting to the question ‘Is it safe to be flying right now?'”
Drawing on his more than two decades of aviation experience, he responds in the affirmative.
Nothing went wrong in a single instance. There might be one element that sticks out more than the others, but a lot of factors will always have come together to make this accident possible,” he stated.
The crash is still being investigated. According to the most recent data, the American Airlines aircraft did execute a sharp upward turn shortly before it collided with the Army Blackhawk helicopter. This could mean that the pilots attempted to steer the aircraft out of jeopardy at the last minute. Additionally, investigators claim that the chopper was flying above its permitted altitude.
“To find out that this particular Blackhawk involved in the accident was equipped with a combined cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder is huge,” Miller stated. “Once we learn what’s happening with this accident those factors, how they lined up it’ll make air travel even safer.”
He claims that the unfortunate event motivates aviation professionals to make sure their passengers are safe.
“Not just the pilots that are operating the aircraft the flight attendants, the mechanics, the agents that are boarding the flight we have a passion for what we do,” he stated. “There’s a satisfaction that we get from getting people where they need to go safely, efficiently, and on time, and things like this actually increase that passion to make sure that we’re doing everything that we can to limit the risks and keep the operation as safe as possible.”
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.