2024 was a sombre year for aviation safety, with the highest number of fatalities since 2018. A total of 318 people lost their lives in 11 separate crashes, raising concerns about air travel safety worldwide.
Jeju Air Flight 7C2216
The deadliest aviation accident occurred on December 29th in South Korea when a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 carrying 181 people crashed upon landing at Muan International Airport, resulting in the deaths of 179 passengers and crew members.
A wheels-up landing led to a runway excursion and subsequent collision with a concrete embankment in the overshoot clearway area.
The exact cause of the crash is still under question, as investigators begin the task of reviewing the black box information.
Contributing factors including a birdstrike on approach, systems malfunctions and possible human error are all being considered.
Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J28243
The Jeju Air tragedy followed on the heels of the loss of an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 aircraft, operating flight J28243. 38 people lost their lives after the flight crashed near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, 25 December.
Flight J28243 was forced to divert after it was unable to land in Chechnya due to bad weather conditions.
Post-crash reports point to Russian air defenses being the root cause of the downing. Following the forced diversion, the damaged aircraft crashed near Aktau, in Kazakhstan, killing 38 of the 67 onboard.
Voepass Flight 2Z2283
On 9 August 2024, Voepass flight 2283, an ATR 72-500 aircraft, crashed in Vinhedo, São Paulo State, Brazil. The flight was scheduled to operate from Cascavel to Guarulhos International Airport.
All 62 people on board the aircraft, including 58 passengers and 4 crew members, lost their lives. The aircraft was flying at an altitude of 17,000 feet when it entered a flat spin and rapidly descended.
The cause of the Voepass aviation crash is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that severe icing conditions may have played a role.
The Multifaceted Nature of Aviation Safety
These major commercial crashes, along with other aviation accidents that occurred throughout 2024, serve as stark reminders of the complex and multifaceted nature of aviation safety challenges.
Factors such as human error, mechanical failures, adverse weather conditions, and external threats like bird strikes can all contribute to accidents.
Additionally, the increasing volume of air traffic and the rapid advancements in aviation technology present both opportunities and risks for the industry.
The aviation industry has a strong track record of learning from past mistakes and implementing safety measures to prevent future accidents.
Looking Ahead
However, the events of 2024 serve as a stark reminder that complacency is not an option. Continued vigilance, rigorous safety protocols, and ongoing research and development are essential to ensure the continued safety of air travel.
The global aviation community must work together to address these challenges and prevent future tragedies. This includes strengthening safety regulations, improving pilot training and oversight, investing in advanced technologies such as collision avoidance systems and predictive maintenance, and implementing effective bird strike mitigation strategies.
The year 2024 will be remembered as a somber reminder of the importance of aviation safety. While the industry has made significant strides in recent decades, the events of this year underscore the need for continued vigilance and a commitment to making air travel as safe as possible.
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