What are the safest seats on an airplane?

Question

In the event of an airplane crash, which seats are considered the safest?

Answer 1

The safest seats on an airplane are generally found in the back third of the plane, with a 68% average chance of survival compared to 62% in the front section and 61% in the middle third. Specifically, middle seats in the rear of the plane are the safest, with a 72% chance of surviving a crash landing.

Comments

I have a pilots license and my BS degree is in aviation safety. We studied aircraft accidents a lot in school. This content is very correct about sitting in the back half of the plane near the tail, but it did not say why that is. Reason is because in an impact the tail section almost always breaks off and lands away from the wreckage. Those strapped in the seats that were inside the tail section that broke off, almost always survive. Also in an impact the fuel in the wings will splash forward and incinerate everything in front of it and because the tail is behind the wings, the tail section does not get soaked in burning fuel. Always sit near the tail.

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I am 61 years old, my father who was killed in an accident when I was ten, helped design the Sikorsky helicopter. He told me as a very little girl to always sit behind the wing of an airplane because that’s where they break. This content confirms for me a 50 plus year old warning from father to daughter insuring her safety in the event of a crash. I feel so grateful for my dad and thanks for this content.

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My father worked for an airline for more than 30 years. When traveling with my parents, I was up in First but when alone, I was always in Economy and my favorite seat was always, last row window seat at Left. Even though people would queue up to use the washroom, the rest of the time, it was the quietest, most private area and on a number of carriers you would get your meal served first instead of watching the trollies starting at the front. A lot of times, you could stretch out on all three seats because this was not a popular row and the crew would often stop and chat and offer extra snacks and drinks. I don't travel anymore because I hate the crowds but aside from safety issues, the last row was great!

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The one that surprised me the most is how you said that a plane crashing has a chance of 1/3b happening and I'm so happy I heard that because I keep seeing these "saddest plane crashes" content. Thank you really much