What are the most and least common causes of plane crashes?

My go-to reference on this topic is the Boeing Commercial Airplane annual Statistical Summary of Commercial Jet Airplane Accidents: Worldwide Operations (Page on boeing.com). One of the greatest freebies on the planet. read more

Most airplane crashes are caused by an abrupt change of potential and kinetic energy, into thermal energy. The more abrupt, and the more energy involved, the larger the impact on the structure of the airplane. read more

5 Most Common Causes Of Fatal Plane Crashes September 23, 2013 Ole Skaar It’s a nightmare scenario: a jetliner experiences turbulence in the air, shakes violently, and plummets to the ground or the ocean. read more

Simon Ashley Bennett, director of the Civil Safety and Security Unit at the University of Leicester, says that while a terror attack is being claimed as the most likely cause, sabotage is only responsible for one in ten airline crashes. In an article for The Conversation, he outlines the five main causes for airline disasters. read more