If it feels like there are suddenly way more plane crashes and incidents, here’s the truth | CNN Business

CNN - Feb 19th, 2025
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The crash landing of Delta Air Lines flight 4819 in Toronto, captured in alarming video footage, has heightened public concern about air travel safety. Fortunately, no fatalities occurred during this incident. This comes shortly after a tragic collision between an American Airlines plane and a US Army helicopter, resulting in 67 deaths. Despite these recent events, the aviation industry maintains a strong safety record. Preliminary data from January 2025 indicates a historically low number of airplane accidents, with only 62 incidents, mostly involving private flights, marking a significant decrease from previous years.

Contextually, the crash in Toronto and other isolated incidents stand out due to their involvement of commercial airliners, yet they do not represent the overall safety of the industry. Commercial air travel in the United States has seen a consistent decline in accidents over the last 15 years, with fewer fatalities than any prior period. While private aviation remains riskier, commercial flights continue to be one of the safest modes of transportation. The industry's ongoing commitment to safety is reflected in the declining number of serious runway incursions and fatal accidents, underscoring the robust safety measures in place.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of aviation safety, balancing recent incidents with long-term statistical trends. Its strengths lie in its timeliness, public interest, and clarity, offering readers a well-structured and accessible discussion of complex safety issues. However, the article could improve in transparency and source quality by providing more direct citations and expert commentary. While it effectively reassures readers about the safety of air travel, it could enhance engagement and controversy potential by incorporating more diverse viewpoints and addressing systemic issues in aviation safety. Overall, the article succeeds in informing readers while maintaining a balanced and factual perspective.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article accurately reports several key facts, such as the crash landing of Delta Air Lines flight 4819 in Toronto and the collision between an American Airlines plane and a US Army helicopter. The article's claim that there were no fatalities in the Delta incident aligns with available reports. However, the description of the helicopter collision resulting in 67 deaths requires verification, as details on fatalities might differ in other reports. The article's use of National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) statistics to illustrate the safety of air travel is precise and supported by historical data trends. The claim about the reduction in runway incursions from 2023 to 2024 is also accurate based on the reported figures. Overall, the article provides a truthful depiction, though some specific claims, like the exact number of fatalities in the helicopter incident, would benefit from additional sourcing.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view by acknowledging both the emotional impact of recent air incidents and the statistical evidence of air travel safety improvements over time. It contrasts feelings of increased danger with factual data showing a decline in accidents, offering a comprehensive perspective. However, the piece could include more viewpoints, such as expert opinions or testimonies from aviation safety analysts, to provide a fuller picture. The emphasis on statistical data over individual incidents helps maintain a balanced narrative, though the article could benefit from discussing potential systemic issues in aviation safety that might not be captured by statistics alone.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information from the initial description of recent incidents to the broader discussion of aviation safety trends. The language is straightforward, making the complex topic of aviation safety accessible to a general audience. The use of statistics and historical comparisons helps clarify the article's main points, though occasional jargon or technical terms related to aviation might require further explanation for some readers. Overall, the clarity is strong, with minor improvements needed in simplifying technical details.

6
Source quality

The article references the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for statistical data, which is a credible and authoritative source for aviation safety information. However, the article lacks direct citations or links to these reports and other primary sources, which would enhance its credibility. While it discusses past incidents and trends, it doesn't attribute its claims to specific reports or studies, which could raise questions about the reliability of the information presented. Including more diverse sources or expert commentary could strengthen the article's authority and reliability.

5
Transparency

The article does a reasonable job of explaining the basis for its claims, particularly when discussing statistical data from the NTSB. However, it lacks transparency in terms of sourcing, as it doesn't provide links or references to the specific reports or data sets it mentions. The methodology behind the statistics and how they were gathered or analyzed is not explained, which could hinder a reader's ability to fully understand the context. Additionally, any potential conflicts of interest or biases in the presentation of data are not addressed, which could affect the perceived impartiality of the article.

Sources

  1. https://www.startribune.com/what-we-know-about-delta-flight-4819-investigators-looking-at-weather-runway-conditions-pilots/601224792
  2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/crash-reagan-national-airport-washington-dc/
  3. https://www.pprune.org/accidents-close-calls/663888-aa5342-down-dca-29.html
  4. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-did-delta-plane-crash-flip-toronto-what-we-know-cause/
  5. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/ntsb-update-deadly-crash-between-plane-army-helicopter-blackhawk-black-box/3845345/