Despite an abundance of information floating around the web about the two plane crashes this past month- one in to the Hudson river, one in to a house in Buffalo- additional questions remain. The stories are parallel in many ways- the mere proximity of the crashes (in time and location) are unusual factors in and of themselves.
What determines the fate of aircraft passengers? If the pilots were switched, if Captain Sullenberger was at the helm of Continental flight 3407 rather than that of U.S. Airways 1549, which crash would have been the tragedy? Neither? Both, perhaps?
Furthermore, what steps are being taken to ensure the safety of flights and passengers? Should pilots be required to have more air time before they are allowed to operate such delicate and crucial equipment? We have become obsessed with the idea of airport security- shoes off, passengers almost stripped down, bags rummaged through- but how safe are the aircrafts themselves in normal flying conditions, much less hazardous conditions?
Other questions arise in relation to the fate of the people and communities in and around the crash sites. How safe are the areas around airports? Are you insured if a plane lands on your house? What is the responsibility of the airlines, the airports, the government in such a situation?
Rachel Vincent, Catherine Mong, Nida Siddiqui, Alison Drew