Steer clear of commuter planes with fewer than 31 seats and "don't even consider flying them at night or in bad weather," warns a consumer group. The International Airline Passengers Association says that in the past 15 years there have been 29 fatal accidents killing 249 people on planes with fewer than 31 seats. On larger regional aircraft there had been only one fatal accident in the 15 years before the Oct. 31 crash of an American Eagle plane killed 68. Identification of remains in that crash was completed Monday. An American Eagle plane also was involved in a mishap Monday when an emergency hatch fell off on takeoff from New York's Kennedy Airport. No one was hurt and the commuter plane landed safely. Airline consultant Michael Boyd calls IAPA's warning "ignorant," and "a cheap publicity stunt . . . to get membership." Small planes suffer slightly more fatal crashes, but crashes overall are so rare that the difference is "statistically, almost meaningless," Boyd says. IAPA's David Stempler says small planes are less sophisticated and flown by less-experienced pilots landing in challenging airports. About 65% of crashes involving the smaller planes were at night or in bad weather. Commuter planes provide most air service for people in seven of 10 cities. Their only other option is to drive, Boyd says, which is more dangerous than flying small planes. Small commuter planes may come under additional fire today. The National Transportation Safety Board meets to discuss stricter safety measures.
