Is the A320 a safe plane?

The Airbus A320 is a remarkable aircraft and was the European Consortium's answer to rivaling the famed (and very successful) Boeing 737. While the aircraft has enjoyed an overall favorable safety record, several high-profile accidents have resulted in hull losses and substantial loss of life.



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Airbus A380 It is an aviation safety-focused aircraft that has never experienced a fatal crash. It has experienced 3 accidents and all of them were about engine problems that were put under control. In spite of the accidents, it has maintained its reputation as one of the safest commercial aircrafts to travel in.

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But if we just compare the 737 NG with the A320, this advantage is reversed, and still the A320 comes out slightly ahead. But thankfully, there are very few accidents for each type per year, so the statistical base is too low for a meaningful comparison.

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A320`s can actually travel just under 4000 nautical miles with no payload and the maximum fuel load on board. So crossings can be made non stop on delivery flights.

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However, the Anglo-French Concorde with 11.36 percent fatal crashes per million departures has appeared on top of the 'least safe plane' lists. The aircraft ended operations in 2003. Boeing 707/720 with 4.28 percent per million departures has been deemed as second 'least safe planes'.

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Are small planes less safe than larger? It might seem that way, but there are other contributing factors. In a nutshell, the size of an airplane is not in any way linked to safety, explains Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StretegivAero Research.

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However, statistically speaking, a seat close to an exit in the front or rear, or a middle seat in the back third of the plane offers the lowest fatality rate. That said, flying is still the safest form of transport.

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Conventional wisdom would indicate that the newer an airplane is, the safer that is. However, this is not necessarily the case. The truth is the safety and reliability of an airplane always comes down to how well the aircraft is taken care of.

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The first benefit of the Airbus A320 is its performance capabilities. The A320 has a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles and a maximum speed of Mach 0.82, making it capable of flying long-haul routes with ease.

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Airbus estimates that their A320 series aircraft have a lifespan of around 60,000 flight hours or 24,000 flight cycles. The A380 series aircraft have a lifespan of around 25 years or 60,000 flight hours.

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Therefore, the ERJ135/140/145 members of the family are among the safest airliners in history. The Airbus A340 is also one of the safest, with no fatal accidents involving any of the 380 units since its introduction in March 1993.

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Boeing 717, 787, 747-800 and the Dreamliner 787 have been deemed as safest for their fatality free flight records. Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier's - 700/900/1000 models - were collectively marketed as CRJ series for regional flights. It gained popularity for providing air travel at lower cost.

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As of May 2022, there have been 23 aviation accidents and incidents involving the Airbus A319, including five hull-loss accidents. No fatal accidents have been recorded involving the aircraft type.

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