CNN reports that a 'Time' investigation looked at 35 years of aircraft accident data to determine <br />which seats of an aircraft had the lowest fatality rate. <br />Middle aisle seats had a fatality rate of 44%, while the middle rear seats had the lowest rate of just 28%.<br />While the whole aisle offers easier access to exits, seats near the middle of the plane are closer to the wings of the plane, which store fuel.<br />According to the data, the type of emergency also dictates the chances of survivability.<br />CNN reports that mountain crashes greatly decrease the chances of survival, as in the tragic 1979 Air New Zealand Flight TE901 crash which killed 257 passengers and crew.<br />Nose-first ocean crashes also greatly decrease the chances of survival, as in the 2009 Air France Flight 447 crash which killed 228 passengers and crew.<br />Rather than the risk of a crash, "clear air turbulence" can cause the most damage to passengers and the aircraft itself.<br />CNN reports that manufacturers are developing new types of aircraft with more composite materials that can handle in-flight stress.<br />These new designs include wings that are less rigid and can flex to absorb extreme loading, preventing structural failure.
