A. E., THEA RASCHE, RUTH NICHOLS, AT THE WESTCHESTER-BILTMORE
Most present-day manufacturers are swamped with orders. Eventually the better products will survive. In plane buying the same sort of selection as prevails with automobiles—that is, that based on quality—will become effective.
No thoughtful person associated with aviation makes any claims as to the infallibility of air equipment. Of course there are accidents. The surprising part is not how many, but how few, there are.[3]
[3]ACCIDENTS AND THEIR CAUSES
| Planes Involved in Accidents | ||
| Licensed | 34 | |
| Unlicensed | 166 | 200 |
| Pilots Involved in Accidents | ||
| Licensed pilots | 35 | |
| Unlicensed pilots | 165 | 200 |
| Probable Causes of Accidents | ||
| Pilots | 100 | |
| Mechanical defects | 43 | |
| Structural failure | 23 | |
| Weather | 12 | |
| Other causes | 14 | |
| Unknown | 8 | 200 |
| Kinds of Flying Engaged In | ||
| Miscellaneous | 139 | |
| Student | 23 | |
| Experimental (including trans-oceanic) | 23 | |
| Demonstration | 3 | |
| Air transport | 12 | 200 |
| Fatalities—Various Causes | ||
| Pilots | 79 | |
| Mechanical defects | 22 | |
| Structural failure | 22 | |
| Weather | 9 | |
| Other causes | 13 | |
| Unknown | 19 | 164 |
Fatalities in Post-Office Air Mail Operations
| Calendar Year | Miles | Fatalities | Miles per Fatality | |
| Pilots | Passengers | |||
| 1927 | 1,413,381 | 1 | 0 | 1,413,381 |
| 1926 | 2,583,056 | 1 | 0 | 2,583,056 |
| 1925 | 2,521,758 | 1 | 0 | 2,521,758 |
| 1924 | 2,161,077 | 3 | 0 | 720,359 |
| 1923 | 1,870,422 | 5 | 1 | 374,084 |
| 1922 | 1,756,803 | 1 | 0 | 1,756,803 |
| 1921 | 1,912,733 | 7 | 2 | 273,248 |
| 1920 | 1,048,444 | 8 | 6 | 74,886 |
| 1919 | 461,295 | 4 | 0 | 115,324 |
| 1918 | 102,548 | 1 | 0 | 102,548 |
| Total... | 15,831,517 | 32 | 9 | ........ |
There is an element of unfairness in comparing mechanical failures and human errors on the ground, with those in the air. The results are so different—as matters stand today. An automobile engine gives out. Normally the worst that happens is a stalled car, and some resulting inconvenience. Even if a wheel comes off the damage, and danger, is comparatively slight. But let an accident of similar magnitude occur in the air, and the consequences may be serious. Serious, that is, unless there is a landing field in reachable distance. And therein lies an outstanding problem of American aviation development.
During 1927 there were 482 municipal and commercial fields in the United States, with 56 under construction. In addition there were 53 army and 8 navy fields. Taking the whole lot, and adding the comparatively few in Canada and Mexico, it gives a pretty thin coverage for the continent.
While it is true that in some parts of the country, notably in the level areas of the west, one can land with safety almost anywhere, it is necessary to have service as well as landing facilities. Obviously adequately equipped fields will follow the economic justification for them. And that justification is fast approaching.