Three deadly plane crashes in a week not deterring travelers
In the week after the Malayasian plane was shot down, two more passenger planes have crashed with deadly consequences.
Wednesday a plane went down in Taiwan, Thursday another crash happened. This time in Africa.
Late Thursday afternoon the wreckage of the missing Air Algerie flight was found in the northwestern African country Mali.
Three plane crashes in a one week is a lot to take in no matter where in the world it happened but so far it doesn’t seem to be enough to stop people from getting on a plane at least domestically.
Bad weather and a violent thunderstorm may have played a role in bringing down an Air Algiere flight from the African country of Burkina Faso to Algeria.
It lost contact with controllers 50 minutes into the flight and disappeared from radar crashing in northern Mali. At least 116 were on board, 110 passengers and 6 crew members..
This crash is the third tragedy in the skies in 7 days.
47 people died in a Trans-Asia flight in Taiwan Wednesday, and 298 were aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 as it was shot down over eastern Ukraine.
“I think it’s horrible prayers have been with all of the families,” said Palm Springs traveler Elisabeth Haasse.
At the Palm Springs International Airport, travelers are still getting on planes, but this week’s events is certainly on their minds
“Definitely you start thinking twice in your mind, what to do, which way to go,” said traveler Amrik Sangh.
“It’s a little unnerving because you give up complete control it’s not like a car where you can have sort of control over it, but I feel pretty safe,” said traveler Kristin Sewald.
Including the still missing Malaysian Air Flight 370, that makes four commercial flights that have crashed or disappeared in the last four months.
“Especially with Malaysian Airlines, I wouldn’t be able to fly with them any time soon, but my mother in law is in Ireland so sometimes there is no choice,” said traveler Michelle Peelo.
“Nothing is going to stop me from traveling. I lived near New York City when 911 happened and that didn’t stop us so, I think we are pretty resilient,” said Sewald.
These crashes all coming at a time when deadly plane accidents are down.
“At the end of the day you have to look at the whole picture and the whole picture is that flying remains far safer than even getting into the car and driving to the grocery store,” said Col. Stephen Ganyard, USMC (ret.).
About half of the people on board the doomed Algerian plane were French.
The investigation into the cause of the crash may have some challenges. Violent clashes plagued the area for years and a branch of Al Qaeda operates from there.
