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No part of an aircraft is totally protected in a crash. The midsection is the strongest structurally, but it often sits over or beside fuel tanks. Passengers near the tail may survive the initial impact, but they often have to make their way through an obstacle course of loose seats and cabin equipment to get out of the wreckage. If a passenger lives through impact, the most serious danger is smoke or toxic inhalation.
The FAA requires that most commercial planes be able to effect a safe evacuation--a rather frequent exercise--in 90 sec. or less. In the U.S., on average, an emergency evacuation takes place every 11 days. Passengers are six times as likely to be involved in an emergency evacuation as in a serious crash, according to the NTSB. With the advent of planes with a larger passenger capacity--such as Airbus' A3XX, which will seat more than 650--experts say emergency-evacuation procedures will need to be updated and streamlined.
What else can you do in the meantime? To limit your exposure to fire and heat, wear clothing of natural fabrics. These do not burn so easily and allow for easier maneuverability. Nylon stockings and high heels won't cut it. And leave your bags on the plane. FAA officials were stunned last week at reports that some passengers on Flight 006 stopped to collect their belongings before escaping. If the plane had been more crowded--and not two-thirds empty--that decision could have squandered precious seconds and cost them more than a lost credit card.