The hazard of accidental death or injury resulting from participation in aeronautics.

(i) Aviation Hazard, natural :

• Weather : Weather has an important bearing on flying.  Many areas are exposed to hurri­cane, windstorms and monsoons.  These hazards affect the air­craft while in flight.  Poor visibility due to fog or due to heavy monsoon will render landing or take-off difficult and sometimes impossible.  Bad visibility may also cause collision between aircrafts in air and also in crowded aerodromes.
• Icing : Ice formation on the wings, the tailplane and jet engines pose a major hazard to aircraft.  Ice formation increase the weight of the aircraft ‘thus disturbing the ‘lift force acting on the aircraft’ ; ice formation may also disturb the working of the power plant. Ice hazard is a source of danger to the aircraft.
• Mountain Ranges : Mountain ranges are hazardous for flying because of generally bad weather conditions, storms, poor visi­bility and ice formation.  The problem is aggravated by diffi­cult rescue operations and absence of repair facilities.

(ii) Aviation Hazard, operational :

• Take-off and Landing Risks : Take-off and landing are considered as the most dan­gerous periods of a flight.  The largest number of air crashes have occurred during these periods.  Heavy aircraft, flying at high speed aircraft, require long concrete runways.  As take-off and landing speed is very high, there is always the danger of the aircraft running beyond the runway into soft earth where the wheels may get stuck.  This may result in overturning of the aircraft causing a fire..
• Stalling : An aircraft has to fly at a certain minimum speed in order to support itself in flight.  When the speed falls below the ‘stalling speed’ it could result in a crash, particu­larly if it occurs through engine failure during take-off.
• Taxying risks : Accidents during taxying operations may occur due to congestion on the runways, incorrect orders from the Control Tower, miscalculation by the pilot etc.
• Flight risks : In flight, the aircraft is exposed to the risk of engine failure and ingestion damage.  The stability of the aircraft is also affected by air currents and stormy weather.
• Night flying : This is regarded as a hazardous operation and requires specialized experience on the part of the pilot.
• Ground risks : Aircraft parked  in the hangar are exposed to the risk of fire, earthquake, flood, etc,. and aircraft parked in the open are exposed to the risk of weather damage and colli­sion with other mobile vehicles.  There is also the risk of theft of valuable instruments and parts.

Extracts from “General Insurance & Risk Management Glossary” published by The Insurance Times, Edited by Dr. Rakesh Agarwal. Copyright of Sashi Publications, Kolkata. www.bimabazaar.com