Incident Response
What is the FAA requirement for airplane evacuation?
According to FAA requirements, a commercial aircraft must be completely evacuated within 90 seconds during an emergency. This strict timeline necessitates that flight attendants undergo weeks of intense training to handle the chaos of emergency situations effectively. Delta flight attendants, like those at other airlines, practice evacuation procedures repeatedly to ensure they can efficiently guide passengers off the aircraft as quickly as possible when necessary.
Watch clip answer (00:22m)
NBC News
01:00 - 01:22
How rare are fatal commercial plane crashes?
According to an MIT study mentioned in the clip, fatal commercial plane crashes are extremely rare in global aviation. The statistics show that such incidents occur at a rate of just one in 13.7 million passenger boardings worldwide. This remarkably low frequency highlights the exceptional safety standards maintained in the commercial aviation industry. The rarity of fatal crashes demonstrates why air travel is considered one of the safest forms of transportation.
Watch clip answer (00:07m)NBC News
00:49 - 00:57
How common are fatal commercial plane crashes?
According to an MIT study mentioned in the clip, fatal commercial plane crashes are extremely rare, occurring at a rate of just one in 13.7 million passenger boardings globally. This remarkably low incidence highlights the exceptional safety of commercial air travel. The incident involving a regional jet in Toronto, where all passengers survived, further illustrates this point. Safety features in modern aircraft, combined with flight attendants' rigorous training and effective emergency protocols, contribute significantly to the high survival rates in the rare cases when accidents do occur.
Watch clip answer (00:07m)
NBC News
00:49 - 00:57
How have modern aircraft become safer compared to planes of the past?
Modern aircraft incorporate significantly stronger materials that better withstand crash impacts compared to planes from years ago. Seats in today's planes can withstand forces of up to 16 G's, keeping passengers securely in place during emergency situations. Additionally, modern aircraft interiors are designed with flame-retardant materials, which provide crucial time for passengers to evacuate in case of a fire. These advancements in materials and design have dramatically improved survivability in aviation incidents, as demonstrated in the recent regional jet incident in Toronto where all passengers survived.
Watch clip answer (00:19m)NBC News
01:36 - 01:56
How did flight attendants contribute to the survival of all passengers in the Toronto regional jet emergency?
Flight attendants played a crucial role by remaining composed yet in charge during the Toronto regional jet emergency. They executed a textbook response by ordering passengers to stay seated until it was safe to evacuate, then giving clear commands to guide them out safely - even under difficult conditions in an inverted aircraft. The attendants demonstrated exceptional training by methodically creating evacuation routes and shouting precise commands. Their strategic approach ensured an orderly evacuation, which aviation experts cite as a key reason everyone survived the incident. Additionally, the prompt arrival of firefighting teams within the required three-minute window complemented the flight crew's professional emergency response.
Watch clip answer (00:48m)NBC News
00:00 - 00:49
What training do flight attendants undergo to ensure passenger safety during emergencies?
Delta flight attendants undergo weeks of intense training designed to simulate chaotic emergency conditions. The FAA requires that flight crews must be able to evacuate an entire aircraft in just 90 seconds, making thorough preparation essential. During training, attendants learn to issue concise, clear commands such as "grab ankles, heads down, stay low" and proper evacuation techniques including how passengers should position their limbs when using emergency slides. The ultimate goal is to efficiently evacuate passengers as quickly as possible from the aircraft, especially during emergencies.
Watch clip answer (00:31m)NBC News
01:00 - 01:31