But that left the two doors over the wings, which balked. Extra muscle was added by the panicked passengers and the doors swung away. By then the fire was out, but the panicked passengers hadn't known they were safe in time to prevent injuries. The accident investigator found the airline had permission to install a different kind of chute, but it was done backward. There have been catastrophic equipment failures, but federal safety files have far more cases where key equipment failures are handled successfully by professional crews.
Many airlines work partnerships or acquire small regional carriers.
Accident experts say more crashes involve takeoffs or landings, and because the little craft do more short hops, they run a slightly higher risk. Travel also is considered safer in U.S. skies because of tougher inspection of planes, better crew training and far superior control systems. Statistics about air crashes can be worrisome, but if you have to drive home from the airport, that's a lot riskier. Townsquare Related Alaska Airlines Flight 261 Crash Get the latest A.P. news about the Alaska airplane disaster in the Pacific.