The Great Escape

Seven Fixes that would Save More Lives
Cabin upgrades and policy changes that experts say would further reduce the number of accident fatalities

Aircraft are safer than ever, thanks to improvements over the past 15 years, including the introduction of fire-blocking materials, stronger seats, and floor exit lighting. But experts say more changes are still in order.
These recommendations top their list:

1. Additional fireproofing of cabin interiors. Seats are now more fire-resistant, but the paneling on floors, walls, and ceilings buckles in high temperatures in less than a minute. FAA researchers are experimenting with a new fire-resistant coating that could slow the process.

2. Evacuation alarms. PA systems can fail, so the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is pressing the FAA to require a special alarm to sound whenever an evacuation is initiated.

3. Infant restraints. After the deaths of several "lap" children in a 1989 crash, safety advocates and the NTSB pushed to require all children under the age of two to sit in a government-approved car seat. In August 2005, the FAA rejected this recommendation, arguing that it would cause some parents to drive instead of paying for an additional seat, and that more lives would be lost in traffic accidents.

4. Better maintenance of slides. The NTSB says that the current failure rate of slides—about 30 percent—could be improved with more inspections.

5. Bulkhead air bags. Air bags have been under consideration for aircraft for some time, but the expense and weight are serious impediments. Bulkhead rows would be a good place to start.

6. Better preparation of passengers and crew. The NTSB has called for regular evacuation drills for all crew members as well as updated passenger safety briefings.

7. Upgrading all passenger planes to the toughest seat standards. Seats able to withstand 16 g's (or 16 times the normal force of gravity) are required only on newly certified aircraft models, so there are still a lot of older, less-resistant 9-g seats in use. The NTSB has pressed for a new rule to phase in this requirement for all aircraft.