Why are there more incidents on planes recently?

Experts have said that a shortage of air traffic controllers, outdated plane-tracking technology and other problems are eroding the margin of safety in air travel.

How common are plane crashes?

Very rare. The National Safety Council estimates that Americans have a 1-in-93 chance of dying in a motor vehicle crash, while deaths on airplanes are too rare to calculate the odds. Figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation tell a similar story. The last deadly crash involving a U.S. airliner occurred in February 2009, an unprecedented streak of safety. But planes have crashed elsewhere around the world. And there are other concerns.

Is plane travel still safe?

Even with the flaws in the system, aviation is still remarkably safe overall. More than 3 million people fly every day and make it to their destinations without incident. Still, experts say travelers should keep an eye open when they fly and report anything “that gives you that gut feel that something’s not right.”

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Dead bodies discovered in JetBlue planes raise alarms about increasing stowaways

BYThe Associated Press