But this indicates that the aviation world has become so much safer - so many fewer crashes for each of us to wallow over
Quite so, but keep in mind that not all fatal crashes nor serious incidents hit the media - China for example where there is media censorship.
It is also the close shaves that we rarely hear about -the "there but for the Grace of God go I", sort of incidents. They are always happening but we don't always hear about them.
Example:
18th JUN, CHINAEASTERN, A330, MU774( CDG-KMG), 218 pax on board, 16 crew, when cruise at 39000ft,
around 03:04 am, at Russiancontrol area, a/c experienced turbulence. 20 persons were sent to hospital, and2 were seriously injured.
This is the most serious event that pax got injury due turbulence in recent years.
After landing in KMG,a/c received an inspection for serious turbulence and was found 39 damages ineconomy class. No damage was found on important systems external.
It was 5 hours later when landing from the moment the turbulence happened, therefore it’s impossibleto pick up the cockpit voice. According to the crew, they regularly turned onradar for weather observation as at night time. They noticed the weather asearly as from 150 NM away, with green radar return, but later, crew turned theradar off, and did not turn on till about 10 NM away of the weather, on AUTO,yellow on radar return, visual weather was 600 m straight below the a/c, so crew decided to fly over it and then experienced serious turbulence.
Decoding shows: With over speed alarm, Captain disconnected AP, throttle stick changed severaltimes from idle, climb, MAX continuous and TOGA. Dual input, too large actions.A/c pitch altitude was changed several times too, MAX nose-up pitch 24.3 deg,MAX climb rate 12122 ft/min, MAX altitude up to 39472 ft, mini speed at 170 kt,nose-down pitch 12.7 deg, MAX descent rate 12300 ft/min, mini altitude 33848ft. Max indicated speed 319 NM, MAX 0.917.During turbulence, Max bank angle 29deg, Max overload 2.141G, Mini overload 0.336G.
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Try this website for instructive study of what goes on of significant flight safety interest that doesn't always make the headlines.
SKYbrary Aviation Safety