Quantcast

Takeoff and landing remain the most hazardous parts of flight, experts warn

Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger Stows Away on Delta Flight from New York to Paris
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
Qatar Airways places record $96 billion Boeing order amid Trump visit
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush
Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System
Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does
Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
Takeoff and landing remain the most hazardous parts of flight, experts warn
Policy
Webp received 649247524644421
National Transportation Safety Board | Official Website

Congested runways, quick judgments, and narrow margins are integral to the takeoff and landing phases of flight. During these crucial moments, pilots must quickly respond to unexpected mechanical issues or other aircraft appearing in front of them. According to CNN, hazards arise primarily during takeoff and landing due to factors such as short runways, poor visibility, and intersecting flight paths, unlike the more stable cruising altitude.

Data indicates that mid-flight stability is largely maintained with autopilot assistance, allowing crews to troubleshoot more effectively. In contrast, small errors on the ground can lead to rapid escalation of issues. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) emphasizes the importance of pilots understanding their aircraft capabilities in order to mitigate incidents during takeoff and landing. This is also why a significant number of accidents happen before reaching cruise altitude or during final approaches.

Training and advanced flight deck systems aim to reduce these risks, but distractions, rushed departures, and adverse weather conditions elevate danger levels during these phases. Runway complexity, ground vehicle movements, and constant air traffic movements add to the strain on flight crews.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) notes that accidents often occur around runways, with runway mishaps posing significant risks of loss of life and injury. The Tenerife collision in March 1977, which claimed 583 lives, is a notable example of ground-level accidents' severity. Another incident, the crash of Comair Flight 5191 in August 2006, highlighted the disastrous potential of runway identification errors and reduced situational awareness.

Runway excursions, such as pilots overshooting and veering off into unsuitable terrain, further underscore procedural importance. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) explains, “When done right, maneuvering flights demonstrate skill...done wrong they usually end deadly.”

Takeoff and landing procedures are critical to flight safety. Crews must consider engine performance, obstacles, aircraft weight, and surrounding environmental factors. The NTSB advises, “Maintain positive control of the airplane throughout the landing and be alert for directional control difficulties immediately upon and after touchdown.”

General aviation faces similar challenges, with crosswinds and poor weather conditions complicating landings for smaller aircraft. The NTSB Safety Alert 71 recommends utilizing the full runway length for safety, advising against intersection departures without sufficient safety margins.

Wind conditions and poor weather significantly affect aircraft performance, particularly during final approaches. Reduced visibility due to rain or fog, alongside contaminated runways, increase the risk of accidents. The NTSB stresses the necessity of accurate runway condition reports and settings to manage these conditions effectively.

Final approach complexity is a common hurdle for both commercial and private aviators. Stable approach speeds, appropriate flap settings, and gear extension are critical. The FAA states, “A good plan takes into account the departure path or procedure, as well as actions to take following power loss.”

The aviation industry continues to implement safety measures to mitigate these risks, from cockpit alert systems to pilot competence evaluations. Despite the challenges, flying remains one of the safest travel methods, though the greatest dangers lie in takeoff and landing.

---

Organizations Included in this History
More News

British Airways is the leading foreign long-haul airline serving the United States.

Jun 5, 2025

United Airlines has completed a deal with the Chicago Department of Aviation to acquire five additional gates at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Jun 5, 2025

Boeing has reached a production milestone, achieving a monthly output of 38 737 MAX aircraft for the first time since 2020.

Jun 5, 2025

At 14:12 local time on June 2, an Allegiant Air Airbus A320 experienced engine failure shortly after taking off from Huntington Tri-State Airport.

Jun 5, 2025

The UK government has initiated a comprehensive airspace modernization program, marking the first significant update since the 1950s.

Jun 5, 2025

Global Airlines has addressed speculation about its future operations, denying any intention to operate as an ACMI carrier using Airbus A380 aircraft.

Jun 5, 2025