Have you ever wondered what happens during a flight from the moment you board the plane until you land at your destination? Or have you ever been curious about how safe flying is compared to other modes of transportation?
From the different stages of flight, most crashes happen during the final approach and landing phase, while the next phase with most crashes are during the initial take off and climbing phases.
The reason most accidents occur during the final approach and landing phase is because of the combination of altitude, airspeed, and other factors that can be difficult to manage. At this point, it should be mentioned that air travel is still one of the safest modes of transport.
In this blog post, I will explain the different phases of a flight and how they relate to the risk of accidents. We will also use some statistics from reliable sources to show which phase has the most number of crashes in commercial planes.
What are the different phases of a flight?
According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a flight can be divided into seven main phases: pre-flight, take-off, climb, cruise, descent, approach, and landing. Each phase has its own characteristics and challenges for pilots and air traffic controllers. Let’s take a look at each phase in more detail.
Pre-flight
This is the phase before the aircraft leaves the ground. It involves preparing the aircraft for departure, checking the weather and flight plan, loading passengers and cargo, conducting safety briefings, and communicating with ground personnel and air traffic control.
Take-off
This is the phase when the aircraft accelerates along the runway until it lifts off the ground. It requires a lot of power and speed from the engines and careful control from the pilots.
The pilots must also monitor the aircraft’s performance and respond to any emergencies or aborts. This phase is critical because it involves a rapid transition from ground to air operations.
Climb
This is the phase when the aircraft ascends to its cruising altitude. It involves adjusting the engine power, airspeed, and pitch angle to achieve a smooth and efficient climb. The pilots must also follow the instructions from air traffic control and avoid any obstacles or conflicts with other aircraft.
This phase is challenging because it involves a high workload and coordination between pilots and controllers.
Cruise
This is the phase when the aircraft flies at a constant altitude and speed towards its destination. It involves maintaining the aircraft’s stability, fuel efficiency, and navigation. The pilots must also monitor the weather and traffic conditions and communicate with air traffic control and other aircraft.
This phase is relatively calm and routine, but it can also be affected by turbulence, icing, or system failures.
Descent
This is the phase when the aircraft descends from its cruising altitude to prepare for landing. It involves reducing the engine power, airspeed, and altitude to achieve a smooth and controlled descent.
The pilots must also follow the instructions from air traffic control and avoid any obstacles or conflicts with other aircraft. This phase is demanding because it involves a high workload and coordination between pilots and controllers.
Approach
This is the phase when the aircraft aligns itself with the runway and prepares for landing. It involves adjusting the engine power, airspeed, flaps, landing gear, and pitch angle to achieve a stable and precise approach.
The pilots must also monitor the aircraft’s performance and respond to any emergencies or go-arounds. This phase is critical because it involves a rapid transition from air to ground operations.
Landing
This is the phase when the aircraft touches down on the runway and decelerates until it comes to a stop or exits the runway. It requires a lot of skill and timing from the pilots and careful control from the brakes and spoilers.
The pilots must also monitor the runway conditions and communicate with ground personnel and air traffic control. This phase is important because it involves completing the flight safely.
Which phase during flighy has most number of crashes in commercial planes?
According to a report by Boeing, which analyzed worldwide commercial jet airplane accidents from 2011 to 2020, 54% of fatal accidents occurred during final approach and landing. This means that more than half of all fatal accidents happened in the last few minutes of flight.
The report also showed that 21% of fatal accidents occurred during take-off and initial climb, 13% during cruise, 7% during descent, 3% during taxiing, and 2% during standing. These percentages are based on 184 fatal accidents that resulted in 3 465 fatalities.
Why are the final approach and landing of the flight so risky?
There are several factors that make the final approach and landing more prone to accidents than other phases of flight. Some of these factors are:
- The proximity to terrain, obstacles, buildings, or other aircraft, giving very little room for recovery or time to react to anything.
- The variability of weather conditions such as wind, visibility, or precipitation
- The complexity of procedures such as instrument approaches or visual approaches
- The possibility of human errors such as misjudgment, distraction, fatigue, or complacency
- The potential for mechanical failures such as landing gear, brakes, or hydraulics
These factors make the final approach and landing of a flight one of the most dangerous phases, which is why pilots must be especially diligent in this portion of the flight. To ensure safety, they must adhere to procedures, pay attention to weather conditions, and properly prepare for any emergencies that may occur.
As a passenger, one can help the pilots by turning off or putting their mobile devices in airplane mode to reduce the disturbances pilots face due to the cell phone signals matching with the frequency of the flight’s communications systems.
What is a “Sterile Cockpit” and how does it help in reducing the risks of the final approach and landing?
Sterile cockpit is a term used in aviation to describe a rule that prohibits any non-essential activities or conversations in the cockpit during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff, landing, and below 10,000 feet altitude.
The purpose of this rule is to ensure that the pilots are focused on the safe operation of the aircraft and avoid any distractions that could lead to errors or accidents. The sterile cockpit rule was introduced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1981, after several incidents and accidents were attributed to flight crew distractions.
The rule applies to commercial operators and scheduled air carriers, but not to non-commercial general aviation. However, it is considered a good practice for all pilots to follow the sterile cockpit rule whenever possible.
Some examples of non-essential activities or conversations that are forbidden by the sterile cockpit rule are:
- Talking about personal matters, hobbies, sports, politics, etc.
- Making announcements to passengers that are not related to safety or flight information
- Reading newspapers, magazines, books, etc.
- Filling out paperwork or records that are not required for the flight
- Using personal electronic devices such as phones, tablets, laptops, etc.
The sterile cockpit rule does not mean that the pilots cannot communicate at all during critical phases of flight. They can still talk to each other about matters related to the flight, such as weather, navigation, performance, procedures, checklists, etc.
They can also communicate with air traffic control (ATC), ground personnel, and other aircraft as needed. The rule only restricts non-essential activities or conversations that could divert their attention from flying the aircraft safely.
The sterile cockpit rule is an important measure to reduce the risk of human error and improve flight safety. Pilots should always adhere to the rule and remind each other if they notice any violations. By following the sterile cockpit rule, pilots can enhance their situational awareness, decision-making, and teamwork skills.
Some other frequently asked questions about phases where most airline crashes happen
Can pilots leave the cockpit during flight?
Yes, pilots can leave the cockpit during flight, but under certain conditions and following strict procedures. There are instances when a pilot may need to use the restroom or require a short break during long-haul flights.
In such cases, another trained crew member, usually a flight attendant, temporarily steps into the cockpit. This ensures that there are always at least two people in the cockpit, a policy instituted after the 9/11 attacks.
Additionally, the aircraft’s autopilot system aids in maintaining the plane’s course and altitude during the pilot’s short absence. However, it’s crucial to note that the co-pilot is fully capable of controlling the aircraft during these brief breaks.
During which phase of flight are pilot monitoring errors most common?
Pilot monitoring errors are most common during the vertical phases of flight, such as climb, descent, approach and landing. These phases require more attention and coordination from the pilots, as they involve changes in speed, altitude, direction, and configuration of the aircraft.
They also pose more risks and challenges, such as weather, traffic, terrain, and runway conditions. One study found that 66 percent of the monitoring errors reported by an airline occurred during these phases.
What phases of flight is the pilot at the most risk of stalling the aircraft?
Pilots are at the most risk of stalling the aircraft during takeoff and landing, two of the most critical phases of flight. A stall occurs when the angle of attack reaches a point where the lift deteriorates rapidly, which can happen if the aircraft ascends too steeply during takeoff or if it approaches too slowly or steeply during landing.
Moreover, during these phases, the aircraft is operating at lower speeds and higher angles of attack, where the margin to the critical angle (the angle at which the wing stalls) is small. Therefore, precise control and careful monitoring of speed and aircraft configuration are crucial to avoid stalls.