Why Planes Crash: Case Files 2002

Air travel is one of the safest modes of travel when we take into account the distances and freedom that it allows us. And yet, we still remain obsessed with aviation disasters. What caused these accidents ? Whose fault was it? In her series of books, Why Planes Crash, Sylvia Wrigley investigates the worst aviation disasters of the twenty first century.

This is the second book in the Why Planes Crash series.

Review by John Sapienza:

Each time an aircraft prangs in, people wonder why did that happen? What led up to the final impact or cessation of flight? The author has done an admirable job in dissecting crashes with the care and attention-to-detail of a trained forensic investigator. She starts well before the final crash sequence, and examines factors leading up to the final impact. The book is imminently readable, and the fact that it is not full of technical jargon will make it attractive to non-aviators as well as flyers alike. The illustrations are a welcome addition and make it easier to understand operations at unfamiliar airports. One fact which stands out to me in reading the book is the difficulty in operating in European airports where there is a real mixture of languages. I am surprised that communications confusion doesn't lead to more accidents in that environment.

Just as with any accident report or safety publication, I read the book with the goal of hoping to learn mistakes to avoid, and to appreciate and recognize factors which might be leading me to a mishap. I highly recommend this book to anyone who flies or wants to understand, as the title says, Why Planes Crash. Well done!