Why do so many celebrities die in small airplanes?
People in show business often fly in small airplanes in order to get places more quickly. They can’t always afford private jets or even first-class tickets, and they often must go to places that aren’t well served by major airlines. Flying on a regularly scheduled flight with a major airline in the U.S. is extremely safe. However, flying in a small private airplane is considerably less so. Flying in a small private plane is about as safe as riding a motorcycle, for better or for worse. It is thus not as safe as driving. The safety of a given flight depends hugely on the condition of the airplane and especially on the skill and personality of the pilot (as with riding as a passenger on a motorcycle).
