Comparing the Safety Records of Boeing and Airbus: An Analysis

When comparing the safety records of Boeing and Airbus, it is essential to consider a multitude of factors, including the historical context, number of aircraft built, total flights, and the extent of passenger fatalities. In this article, we will delve into the data and statistics to provide a comprehensive analysis of the safety records of the two leading aircraft manufacturers.

Historical Context and Aircraft Age

It is often suggested that Boeing has a history of plane crashes while Airbus is relatively safer. However, this assumption needs to be critically evaluated based on the historical context and aircraft age.

World War II Era: During World War II, there were concerns about the number of DC3/C47 crashes. However, investigations revealed that these aircraft had a low accident rate, attributed to the high number of DC3/C47 planes in the air. This suggests that the more planes in service, the lower the individual risk of a crash. Generational Differences: If one company has been building airplanes for 80 years with many still in service, while another has been building a smaller number of planes for half that time, the math becomes complex. The 747, 737, and 727 are older models than Airbus planes. This age factor means that Boeing has had more time to refine and improve its designs.

Statistical Analysis: Accidents and Incidents

According to government statistics, Boeing aircraft have been involved in nearly 6,000 aviation accidents and incidents worldwide. Of these, 415 were fatal accidents, resulting in over 9,000 deaths. As of this writing, more than 10,000 Boeing-built commercial jetliners are in service worldwide, amounting to almost half of the world's fleet. Boeing also offers a complete family of freighters, carrying about 90 percent of the world's cargo.

For Airbus, as of January 2024, 180 aviation accidents and incidents have occurred, including 38 hull loss accidents with a total of 1,505 fatalities in 17 fatal accidents. Since its inception, Airbus has built more than 13,500 commercial aircraft, maintaining a leadership position through a focus on innovation, performance, and efficiency.

Accident Frequency and Passenger Fatality Rates

To better compare the safety records, we can analyze the accident frequency and passenger fatality rates:

Airbus Boeing Crashes: 35 Crashes: 251 Total Flights: 28.3 million Total Flights: 461 million Flights per Crash: 0.81 million Flights per Crash: 1.84 million Fatalities in Total Crashes: 1505 Fatalities in Total Crashes: 9000 Fatality per Accident (FLE): 24 Fatality per Accident (FLE): 172

The statistics show that Boeing has a higher crash count (251) compared to Airbus (35), but more flights (461 million) have occurred with fewer fatalities (0.685 FLE/crash) per crash. For Airbus, the crash count is lower (35), but the fatality rate is slightly higher (0.81 million flights per crash, 0.686 FLE/crash).

Conclusion

While Boeing has experienced more accidents, the statistical analysis shows that both manufacturers have extremely safe aircraft. Boeing wins on the measure of flights per crash, indicating that each crash is associated with fewer flights, thus suggesting a higher safety record. On the other hand, both companies have approximately the same fatal event rate (FLE) per crash, meaning passengers have a roughly equal risk of fatality in either Boeing or Airbus aircraft when a crash occurs.

Both Boeing and Airbus have made significant strides in aviation safety. It is crucial to consider a range of factors, including the historical context, aircraft age, and the statistical analysis of accidents and incidents, to gain a holistic understanding of their safety records. The data suggests that both manufacturers have effectively reduced the risk of accidents, and the differences in crash frequency and fatality rates are within a margin that is difficult to differentiate significantly.