Safety

Safety – or rather danger – is a concern for many people around airports. While individual aircraft are generally safe and the chance of an accident on any particular flight is very low, the odds can add up for people on the ground living near busy airports.

In addition, it is surprisingly frequent for iceblocks (formed on the outside of aircraft, sometimes as a result of leaks around pipes used for liquid, which then freeze at high altitude) and even aircraft parts to fall from planes. The CAA has responsibility for investigating incidents of ice or other items falling from aircraft, but maintains that is has no liability for them and is rarely able to identify their origin.

To report iceblocks or other items that you believe may have fallen from an aircraft, you should contact the safety regulation group at the CAA; see the appropriate section in the CAA’s contact details. We would also welcome you informing us about the incident. The CAA has committed to providing AEF with 6-monthly updates of their data on falling objects, which will be recorded on our website.