Some of those who lived through Wednesday’s crash credited their survival to seat belts and seating choices, yet much of surviving a disaster is pure chance.
Remarkable stories of plane crash survival
Some of the survival game involves factors passengers largely can’t control, like the weather, flight crew skills, the design of airline seats and the construction, maintenance and age of the plane.
But passengers themselves can do a lot to improve their chances of survival simply by making smart choices and being informed.
Engine problems reported before TransAsia crash
–
9. Avoid airlines with poor safety records.
Statistics show that we are living in the safest era in the history of commercial aviation. Nonetheless, every airline has a safety record, and those records are tracked. Various groups offer rankings for airline safety.
10. Dress for quick movement
No high heels or flip-flops. Keep your shoes on during the flight. Avoid short pants. Dress for the possibility that you might have to pass quickly through wreckage — or even run away from the plane.
