Cargo Comparability

AIR SAFETY WEEK

August 23, 2004

Some stunning statistics were presented by Ellen Engleman-Connors, chair

of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in her August 18 remarks at

the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) annual safety symposium. To wit:

* The NTSB has investigated more than 40 cargo plane accidents since 1984

(i.e., an average of two per year, killing a total of 170 persons, including

aircrews and those on the ground).

* Air cargo operations feature two to five times the accident risk than

passenger flights.

* The cargo fleet involves older airplanes (28 years vs. 7 years average

age).

At the same time, Engleman-Connors said, "Air cargo safety is not an

issue based on statistics; it's an issue of safety."

"In other words, the family at home should have the same expectation of

safety no matter where the pilot flies, what the pilot flies or for whom the

pilot flies," she declared (emphasis in original delivery, this statement

generating much applause).