AirlineRatings.com has released a study of the aircrafts with the best and worst safety ratings. Topping the list with 20 fatal crashes is the Czech twin-engine short-range transport aircraft, LET 410. The Russian-made Ilyushin 72 and Antonov AN-12 also recorded a high of 17 fatal crashes, a tie for the second most dangerous aircraft. As for the safest planes, Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, and Bombardier top the list in a four-way tie.
The list was complied using historic crash data from the last 10 years. According to Airline Ratings editor, Geoffrey Thomas, crash records from the 1970s and 1980s are no longer relevant because the planes are no longer in service today.
“We only looked at aircraft that are carrying passengers in 2013,” said Mr. Thomas on the company’s website.
The study focuses on commercial planes, ignoring piston-powered planes and smaller aircraft used for charter work. Statistics from 2003 to 2012 were used in calculating plane safety.
“Clearly flying on pure jet powered aircraft is far safer as seven out of the ten aircraft with bad crash records are turboprops,” said Mr. Thomas.
Worst Crash Record Fatal Crashes
LET 410 20
Ilyushin 72 17
Antonov AN-12 17
Twin Otter 18
CASA 212 11
DC-9/MD80 10
B737-100 / 600 10
Antonov 28 8
Antonov 32 7
Tupolev 154 7
Best safety record
Boeing 777 0
Boeing 717 0
Airbus A380 0
Airbus A340 0
Boeing 787 0
Boeing 767/757 0
Embraer 135/145 0
CRJ 700/1000 0
Airbus A330 2
Airbus A320 / Boeing 737NG 5
For more information visit airlineratings.com