Is there any way you can think of that could increase the survival rate to 100% in a plane crash ?

Question

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/166bc332-39b3-11db-90bb-0000779e2340.html

ok 95% how about that ?

Answer 1

No... but, I don't think that the fear of flying is a rational fear given the safety record of modern aviation. To the gentleman who replied "The only way to 100% avoid dying in a plane crash is to stay home.", I offer this.... a plane may crash into your house while you are home.... but this, is not a rational fear either....

Answer 2

With contemporary technology, it would be extremely difficult. The only ways I can think of would be prohibitively inefficient. For example, if each plane were to carry only a few passengers, and each passenger was encased in a padded capsule surrounded by armored plating, with its own oxygen supply, parachute (make that two parachutes just in case one fails) and cooling system, strapped into a foam seat, then you could probably get the survival rate pretty high.

If you allow future technology, it gets much easier. Backups of each passenger's mind, made several times every second, would ensure that they lose only an insignificant amount of their memory if their body dies. What might be even more effective is a teleport device that instantly teleports the passenger down to the ground if the plane has trouble. But of course, if you have either of these technologies, why are people still flying around in airplanes?

Answer 3

Modern aircraft are built to be lightweight. Lightweight with metal, translates into weakness. The Aloha flight with the top that came off is an example of how bad things can get when the metal becomes fatigued. That accident had no impact!

Newer composites are helping the strength-to-weight ratio, but realistically, if you're talking about an full-speed impact, the answer is no. All newer aircraft have been mandated to meet a 16g rating for the seats, I don't know, but surely 500+ mph produces higher than 16g's upon impact.

So, the answer is to maintain and fly the aircraft safely. The rest is up to God.

Answer 4

The answer is that it's not going to happen. The human body, despite its ability to be remarkably resilient in some instances, is quite fragile. People die from falling off of bicycles or slipping on a sidewalk. The idea of putting them in a 600-mph winged bus and expecting that some technology could protect them from any impact--no matter how violent--is just beyond possibility.

That said, there are technologies which could help, but most of which aren't implemented due to cost, or weight (which is also cost), or just the probability they wouldn't be accepted. Some concrete changes which would increase survivability: seats facing rearward (technology which exists), individual airbags at each seat (technology which exists), smoke hoods for each seat (technology which exists), even helmets (technology which exists).

You may be familiar with the quote attributed to Northrop test pilot Max Stanley: "The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely kill you." I think that's about right.

Answer 5

No. The hazards of fire and collision damage are both severe problems. But commercial aviation is about the safest form of transportation there is, and unless you try to take off from the wrong runway, you are pretty safe. I have a friend who does not like to fly in private planes; I told him "If your plane crashes, they'll call the coroner. If my plane crashes, I'll call a cab." On the one occasion that I had to make a forced landing, I called a cab.

Answer 6

Unfortunately no my friend. Statistically in the past 30 years, people who are to the aft of the aircraft have better chances of surviving. To guarantee 100% safety don't go!!!!

Have you ever heard of an aircraft unwittingly reversing into a mountain?! That said, it will still depend on so many factors and the type of accident. Air travel is still the safest form of transportation in the world. The greatest risk is driving to the airport.

Answer 7

No. Just like you can't make a 100% survivable car crash. Since thousands and thousands more die in car crashes every year, shouldn't you be more interested in improving that instead? Air travel is still the safest form of transportation, and it is constantly being improved. Planes are constantly undergoing maintenance to fix problems before they happen. Why don't you go after legislation to mandate the same kinds of inspections and maintenance required for aircraft be imposed on cars and trucks?

Answer 8

No. You have to accept that taking humans 6 miles up in the air is inherently a dangerous activity. If there's a disaster at that altitude then the passengers are going to hit the ground at about 100 mph and there's nothing that's going to reduce mortality with that type of enery involved.

Answer 9

Most plane crashes have a 100% survival rate, you just don't hear of them because that doesn't sell newspapers or advertising airtime for the TV news companies.

Answer 10

I would say to have parachutes for every passenger. Then intead of wasting time telling us how to operate a seat belt, they can try to explain how to put the chute on. Of course, some people make break legs, arms, etc however I think the rate of survival would be higher than the 0% chance that exists now.