The odds of dying in a commercial plane crash are actually quite low. In the US, the chance of dying in a fatal plane crash is one in about 11,000. That means that for every 11 thousand trips you take by commercial plane, you can expect one of them to be fatal.
Of course, this number doesn't take into account any individual factors that might make you more likely to be in a crash. Still, the odds of dying in a commercial plane crash are far lower than the odds of dying in a car crash, which are about one in 615, or other causes like a heart attack or cancer.
For a list of other causes and their odds, click here.
Statistically, air travel is one of the safest modes of transportation. The likelihood of dying in a plane crash is significantly lower than in a car accident, motorcycle accident, or even as a pedestrian. This means that if you're worried about dying in a plane crash, you're far more likely to die in a car on the way to the airport than you are to die in the plane itself.
Looking at the yearly statistics, we can see that the number of deaths due to plane crashes has been relatively low in recent years. In 2021, there were 394 deaths from plane crashes in the US, with odds of one in 842,719. In 2020, the number of deaths was even lower, at 364, with odds of one in 906,263.
It is important to note that the odds of dying in a plane crash can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the airline, the type of aircraft, and the conditions under which the flight is taking place. For example, flights that are taking off or landing are generally considered to be more dangerous than flights that are cruising at high altitude. Additionally, small planes are more likely to crash than large planes, and night flights are more likely to crash than daytime flights.
Despite these variations, however, the overall odds of dying in a plane crash in the US remain quite low. Thanks to advances in technology and safety measures, air travel has become one of the safest modes of transportation available.
Taking these factors into account, the odds of dying in a plane crash are comparatively low. So, if you're worried about dying in a plane crash, you can take some comfort in knowing that the chance to die in a plane crash are small. Of course, there's no guarantee that you'll never be in a plane crash, but the odds are in your favor.
Year | Deaths | one-year odds |
---|---|---|
2021 | 394 | 1 in 842,719 |
2020 | 364 | 1 in 906,263 |
2019 | 455 | 1 in 721,406 |
2018 | 408 | 1 in 800,710 |
2017 | 391 | 1 in 831,176 |
2016 | 417 | 1 in 774,436 |
2015 | 444 | 1 in 722,162 |
2014 | 423 | 1 in 752,482 |
2013 | 426 | 1 in 741,760 |
2012 | 441 | 1 in 711,632 |
2011 | 509 | 1 in 612,102 |
2010 | 486 | 1 in 636,460 |
2009 | 569 | 1 in 539,138 |
2008 | 562 | 1 in 541,085 |
2007 | 569 | 1 in 529,402 |
2006 | 671 | 1 in 444,679 |
2005 | 615 | 1 in 480,520 |
2004 | 699 | 1 in 418,898 |
2003 | 767 | 1 in 378,239 |