US Airways...

[kkecu]

Ok...so I have to fly on Monday from Norfolk to Charlotte and Charlotte to Indianapolis. I have seen on the internet (and I know I should never be looking these things up, because they scare meeeeeeeeeee.) that US Air has had TWO fatal crashes outside of Charlotte in recent years. (Well...I think one was in 2003 and one in 1994)

This does not help me. Is US Airways safe?

I really hate this feeling. Its like its always there. Even if I am having a good time...I feel like its this wierd feeling/thought in the back of my mind.

UGH.

Kelly

[LeslieDEN]

Hi, Kelly.

US Airways is safe. I've flown them before and will likely fly them again since they codeshare with "my" airline, United.

The 1994 accident was attributed to a flaw in the 737 rudder design (a similar accident happened with a United 737 outside Colorado Springs in 1991). All 737 rudders have since been retrofitted and 737 pilots trained in how to react to a hardover in the unlikely event one should happen again. The airline was not at fault.

The 2003 accident involved a Beech 1900, which is a turboprop and holds just 19 passengers. It was actually flown by Air Midwest operating as US Airways. If none of your flights is on a turboprop, I think the accident is irrelevant to your trip. I'm not an aviation professional, but I don't believe the weight distribution issues that caused that accident would apply to a jet.

[kkecu]

Thank you so much. I am breathing a little easier now. Its such a battle. I have been flying a lot due to work over the past four years...and although I have always been a little nervous...this fear...its like it came outta nowhere. All of a sudden...before the last couple of flights...I have been severely paranoid. Which...of course...makes me feel like something terrible is about to happen to me.

I really have to fly. I bounce back and forth across the country every week. So this fear is really getting the best of my rational brain.

But this forum really really helps me.

Kelly:sigh:

[LeslieDEN]

Well, I screwed up ... sorry. In the interest of full disclosure, I didn't remember the 1994 thing being near Charlotte so I just now Googled it, and it turns out I was thinking of a different 1994 accident (near Pittsburgh). I don't know anything about the Charlotte accident except what I can Google. Apparently it was a wind shear thing and there were survivors.

Sorry. But I still would not hesitate to fly US Airways. They are a good airline.

[Passenger Mark]

U.S. Airways is a fine airline. By Brother is flying them tomorrow. If I had a problem with them, he would not be on them!

[WillFlyToDisney]

USAir is perfectly safe. I wouldn't hesitate to fly them at all.

Have a great trip!