The Survivor's Guide to Plane Crashes

Maybe not for those of a nervous disposition but the new series of Horizon starts on BBC2 next Tuesday (3rd October) with this programme - its broadcast at 9pm. The programme reveals some interesting statistics:

From 1983 -2000 there were 568 plane crashes in America
Of the 53,487 people involved, 51,207 survived - thats just over 95%

The producer of the programme said he was suprised and thought that the number would have been the other way!!

The programme demonstrates how safe air travel is and also offers some tips regarding what you should do if you should be unlucky enough to be involved- they key thing being to make sure you pay attention to the safety briefing.

Promises to be interesting stuff!!

Thanks for the headsup Mark, made a reminder to watch it.

I think Spotwelder from the FT BA board has a commentary in this too - at least, I think I saw that while perusing there the other day....[:?]

Cheers

Michael

[Decker]

I wonder what the percentage was for water crashes?

Thanks, Mark:D

That's reassuring.

VS.

This was interesting and had some good tips - nice to see that VS has aircraft fitted with airbags too - Airbags on Aircraft

There are more programme details here including all the tips.

Personally I thought the tip about being 7 rows or less from the exit to increase your chances of surviving an accident was useful as most of the others are given to you by the cabin crew during the safety briefing.

The seatbelt part surprised me! I think this should be shown to people who dont watch the safety demo!

Arent the airbags only installed on exit rows and UCS on VS?

[mitchja]

Originally posted by Airbus340
Arent the airbags only installed on exit rows and UCS on VS?

Indeed only exit rows and bulk-head rows and all UCS seats, not 100% certain though that they are on all the VS B744's though.

Regards

Originally posted by mitchja

Originally posted by Airbus340
Arent the airbags only installed on exit rows and UCS on VS?

they are on all the VS B744's though.

Regards

According to the Horizon website the airbags are fitted on all types of A/C

Originally posted by Airbus340
According to the Horizon website the airbags are fitted on all types of A/C

Yep all the VS fleet are fitted with UCS and all UC seats have airbags, so the site is in a way correct.

Always wondered why the belt was so thick, I just assumed it was some sort of extra cushion!!

Can't speak for the rest of the plane but yeah thats why the belt in UCS is so padded.
I think its because of that and the angle of the seat that enabled VS to allow its UC Pax to take off with the seat in recline.

Dean

Originally posted by Wolves27
Can't speak for the rest of the plane but yeah thats why the belt in UCS is so padded.
I think its because of that and the angle of the seat that enabled VS to allow its UC Pax to take off with the seat in recline.

Dean

Although according to Mcuth in his recent TR back from SFO he was made to put his seat in the upright position?

Thanks for the heads up Mark, it was a very interesting programme. [y]

Some interesting comments on the programme here