The most dangerous seconds during your flight

Aviation accidents are rare, but when they do occur, it's important to understand when they happen. In which phase of the flight do most incidents take place?

Accidents by flight phase

Figure: Percentage of fatal accidents by phase of flight.

Why are certain phases riskier?

• Takeoff & Climb (30% of accidents)
  Aircraft are most vulnerable during this stage to engine failures, bird strikes, and human error, while there is little time to react.
  
  
• Cruise (only 10% of accidents)
  Although this is the longest part of the flight, incidents are relatively rare. When something does go wrong, it's often severe, such as structural failure or cabin decompression at high altitude.
  
  
• Approach & Landing (50% of accidents)
  This phase requires intense coordination, often under complex conditions (e.g., poor weather or heavy air traffic). Most runway excursions or hard landings occur during this time.

“Why the final minutes of your flight are the most critical”

Notably, 50% of accidents happen during just 10% of the total flight time, the approach and landing phase. This highlights how crucial those final moments really are.

What does this mean for you as a passenger

While you may not influence the technical aspects of the flight, you can stay alert and prepared during the critical phases:

• Always listen carefully to the safety instructions.
• Keep your seatbelt fastened during takeoff, landing, and turbulence.
• Follow the crew’s instructions, especially during the first and last 10 minutes of the flight (the sterile cockpit rule).

Remember: flying is safe.

By: Rico Valkenborgh | July 29, 2025