Abstract
In 1999 there were 72 accidents involving scheduled airliners; 31 resulted in the total destruction of the hill of the aeroplane; and 33 caused major damage. The costs incurred in such accidents are recovered from insurance companies and, as a result, premiums are increased. Such increases affect the direct operating costs and evenntally the profits of the airlines. With passenger and cargo traffic growing worldwide at 6% per annum, it has been estimated that in the year 2005 twice as many passengers as are flying today and twice as much cargo will be handled, with an attendant increase in aircraft accidents.
This paper briefly discusses a few of the factors involved in aircraft accidents and outlines some current programmes designed to enhance aviation safety. It also describes two avionic systems whose introduction into operational use is intended to lead to a reduction of the most common type of accident.