What percentage of accidents are attributed to natural causes?

The correct answer, which indicates that 2% of accidents are attributed to natural causes, highlights the relatively low incidence of such events compared to human error or mechanical failure, which are more common contributors to accidents. This statistic emphasizes the importance of pilot training and operational protocols that focus on avoiding situations caused by pilot error or equipment malfunction.

Natural causes may include phenomena like sudden weather changes or geological events, but these factors are typically less predictable and occur with less frequency in aviation accidents. Understanding that only a small percentage of accidents are due to these inevitable forces can help aviators prioritize what factors to focus on during their training and operational procedures to minimize risk. Recognizing the limited impact of natural causes allows flight crews to allocate their attention more effectively to other risks that are more prevalent.