Question

Among fatal plane crashes that occurred during the past 65 ​years, 627 were due to pilot​ error, 64 were due to other human​ error, 113 were due to​ weather, 382 were due to mechanical​ problems, and 481 were due to sabotage. Construct the relative frequency distribution.

What is the most serious threat to aviation​ safety, and can anything be done about​ it?
A. Sabotage is the most serious threat to aviation safety. Airport security could be increased.
B. Mechanical problems are the most serious threat to aviation safety. New planes could be better engineered.
C. Weather is the most serious threat to aviation safety. Weather monitoring systems could be improved.
D. Pilot error isPilot error is the most serious threat to aviation safety. Pilots could be better trained.

Answer 1

D. Pilot error isPilot error is the most serious threat to aviation safety. Pilots could be better trained.

Explanation:

We can construct the relative frequency distribution dividing the amount of incidents for each category by the total amount of incidents.

This amount is:

`\sum x_i=627+64+113+382+481=1667`

Then, the relative frequency for each category is:

`\text{Pilot error}=627/1667=0.38\\\\\text{Human error}=64/1667=0.04\\\\\text{Weather}=113/1667=0.07\\\\\text{Mechanical problems}=382/1667=0.23\\\\\text{Sabotage}=481/1667=0.29\\\\`

As the pilot error has the largest relative frequency, we can conclude that pilot error is the most serious threat to aviation safety.