a few questions

[WORCESTERIAN]

I have been looking at a website that lists information about airline accidents. Now, I kind of know that isnt clever, because it predisposes to anxiety. But it isnt all bad. It does show progress over the decades with accident prevention and improved safety. And it also shows that British based airlines have impressive safety records. However, I read an of accidents where planes (737 ) had gone down with engine fires. Now, we phobics/anxious flyers are always reassured that engine fires are dealt with by built in extinguishers and that the plane can take off and fly with only one engine. Even if the engine fails during take off. In fact one of the 737's crashed at take off with witnesses seeing flames from an engine prior to impact.

I wonder about the reality of a plane with an engine down (due to fire or otherwise) Is it possible to fly with excellent skill, first class on the spur of the moment reactions and decisions , and an element of luck , or is the "it is possible to fly on one engine" line really one of "only if everything is perfect" ?

Another incident involved a crash due to a defective thrust reverser. Scary stuff.

Apart from that, I could see that most accidents comprised of a combination of circumstances, and are more often see in bad weather and in countries where human life is not so valued (which coulod be reflected in the attitude to aviation and the regulation of safety in other areas too )

[Falcon]

Some very good questions here and Ill address them by answering inside your quote using bold writting.

I have been looking at a website that lists information about airline accidents. Now, I kind of know that isnt clever, because it predisposes to anxiety. But it isnt all bad.
Depends how you approach the information, your outlook seems fine.
It does show progress over the decades with accident prevention and improved safety. And it also shows that British based airlines have impressive safety records.
Wouldnt want to let the Queen down would we?
However, I read an of accidents where planes (737 ) had gone down with engine fires. Now, we phobics/anxious flyers are always reassured that engine fires are dealt with by built in extinguishers and that the plane can take off and fly with only one engine. Even if the engine fails during take off. In fact one of the 737's crashed at take off with witnesses seeing flames from an engine prior to impact.

I wonder about the reality of a plane with an engine down (due to fire or otherwise) Is it possible to fly with excellent skill, first class on the spur of the moment reactions and decisions , and an element of luck , or is the "it is possible to fly on one engine" line really one of "only if everything is perfect" ?
Excellent question. Yes, cat like reflexes top notch flying skill are required the first few times we practise this. Which is why we practise this maneuvre every six months in the simulator in all its various forms ( we can even simulate the engine falling off) so many times that it can be flown by any pilot even on a bad day. In Britain I cant hold on to my license unless I can fly this. As for bringing an aircraft down, if it is the 737 acident I'm thinking of there was more going on and without knowing details I'm reluctant to go into depth.
Another incident involved a crash due to a defective thrust reverser. Scary stuff.
Very scary and after a Brazilia crashed in GA they tested pilots and found the survival rate of a thrust reverser dploying in the air is very low. There are many failsafes to ensure this doesnt happen again.
Apart from that, I could see that most accidents comprised of a combination of circumstances, and are more often see in bad weather and in countries where human life is not so valued (which coulod be reflected in the attitude to aviation and the regulation of safety in other areas too )

Any further questions please feel free. My personal rule to getting on another countries airline is not to unless I would buy a car from the same country.