Death Toll at 88 in Thai Air Crash

(NEWSER) - As many as 100 people were feared dead yesterday as a Thai plane ripped in two and exploded in flames in heavy rain as it touched down in the popular tourist resort of Phuket island. Some 20 passengers appeared to scramble to safety as smoke engulfed the budget jetliner operated by Orient Thai Airways. More»

Survivors tell of aborted landing as investigators probe for clues

(NEWSER) - Investigators have begun sifting through the smoldering wreckage of a Thai airliner which broke in two as it landed in a severe rainstorm on the popular resort island of Phuket. "I saw the grass and knew we were going to crash," recalled one of 42 survivors of the tragedy that claimed 88 lives. More»

But experts warn that we must keep working on safety

(NEWSER) - Assuming nothing terrible happens between now and Saturday, 2011 will close as the safest year ever for commercial aviation. For every 7.1 million fliers around the globe, there was about one passenger death, which will break the previous record of one per 6.4 million, set in 2004. But experts warn that we must continue to improve safety around the world, rather than be lulled into complacency by this year's numbers. Ground safety and pilot training are two areas to focus on, as well as increasing awareness of flight hazards in certain developing countries, the Wall Street Journal notes. More»

With skies safe, officials turn their attention to 'surface threats' on runways

(NEWSER) - "America's skies are the safest they have ever been," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told reporters this week, and the stats back him up: Deaths from accidents in US commercial aviation have plummeted over the last 15 years, with none registered at all in 2011. Aviation officials say they are now turning their attention toward somewhere potentially much deadlier than the skies for commercial aircraft: the ground, and specifically, the runway. More»

Series of deadly crashes blamed on lax regulation

(NEWSER) - Russia is now, mile for mile, the deadliest place in the world to fly, the Wall Street Journal finds. Nine fatal crashes—including one that killed an entire professional hockey team —have claimed a total of 140 lives. While eight of the crashes involved old Soviet-era aircraft, experts say the real problem in the former aerospace superpower is the sloppiness, risk-taking, and ineffective regulation more commonly associated with aviation basket cases like the Congo. More»