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Which is safer turboprop or jet?

When it comes to safety, jets and turboprops are essentially equivalent. Both types of aircraft are powered by turbine engines, making them virtually identical in terms of safety. In general, turbine engines are mechanically simple, light, reliable, and easy to operate.



Statistically, both turboprops and jets are incredibly safe, but commercial jet aircraft generally have a slightly better safety record when looking at hull loss rates per million flights. According to data from organizations like IATA, jets often benefit from flying at higher altitudes, which allows them to avoid much of the turbulent weather and traffic found in lower airspace where turboprops typically operate. However, this does not mean turboprops are "unsafe." Modern turboprops, such as the ATR 72 or the De Havilland Dash 8, utilize turbine engines (just like jets) that are extremely reliable; the primary difference is that the turbine drives a propeller rather than generating thrust through high-speed exhaust. Turboprops are often used for shorter, regional routes and can land on shorter or more challenging runways where jets cannot operate. Most accidents involving turboprops occur in regions with less developed infrastructure or by operators with less stringent safety oversight, rather than being a result of the engine technology itself. In the context of major global airlines, the safety difference between the two is negligible for the average passenger, as both undergo rigorous maintenance and pilot training standards.

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Turboprop vs Jet Safety Both turboprops and jets are powered by turbine engines, so they are essentially the same thing and thus, are considered to be equally as safe.

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THE ANSWER: Yes, small planes are involved in more accidents than commercial plane.

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Turboprops typically have an altitude ceiling of 25,000-30,000 feet. If you run into turbulence or inclement weather conditions at this altitude, a turboprop won't be able to avoid them by climbing to a higher altitude like a jet can. This may make for a bumpy and uncomfortable ride.

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Turboprops simply cost more: to buy, to own, to fly. They offer better performance, reliability, and lighter engine weight. They also scale up well. After the initial premium for switching to turbines, cost per seat starts to go down.

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Of course, the turboprop is hardly gone from U.S. skies. Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group Inc., still flies the Bombardier Q-400 and Empire Airlines Inc. flies the ATR 42-500 in Hawaii for Hawaiian Holdings Inc.'s Ohana unit.

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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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According to experts, the model (737-800) is considered to be the safest aircraft ever made. The 737-800 belongs to the aviation giant's next-generation aircraft which also includes 600, 700, and 900.

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