User:Mjroots/Notability of Aircraft Accidents

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This is the personal view of Mjroots, it may form the basis of a future essay. Please do not edit this, but discuss any issues on the talk page.

The notability of aircraft crashes is a somewhat contentious subject on Wikipedia. Therefore, as WP:AIRCRASH appears to be stalled, and doesn't appear to enjoy as much support now than it has in the past, I shall attempt to put forward my views on where the threshold should be for automatic notability.

Nothing hereunder overrides WP:V x (many) WP:RS = WP:N. Thus if all we can state is that an Tu-999 of Aeroflot crashed in the Soviet Union on the 43 Septober 197x, killing 20 people, then we cannot support a stand-alone article on that accident. Such accidents can be recorded in an article on the aircraft type, airline, airport or list of accidents per aircraft type as applicable - ideally, any stand-alone article should be of at least C class, or Start class in exceptional cases.

Aircraft divide into several categories. For the purpose of this "essay", we will stick to the following - Airliners, bizjets, helicopters, GA aircraft and military aircraft. In the aviation industry, aircraft are generally classified by Maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and number of engines (single/multi). The weight limits are up to 2,000 kg MTOW; up to 5,700 kg MTOW, up to 14,000 kg MTOW, up to 20,000 kg MTOW and over 20,000 hg MTOW. For aircraft types introduced on or after 1 January 1960, these weights should apply. Older aircraft will be dealt with separately.

  • Above 20,000 kg - these are to be considered airliners. The loss of which should be notable enough to sustain an article.
  • 14,000 - 19,999 kg - these are also airliners. The loss of which should be notable enough to sustain an article.
  • 5,700 - 13,999 kg - these may be airliners, bizjets or general aviation aircraft. The loss of which should generally merit mention on Wikipedia under aircraft type, operator and airport as applicable. Airliners falling in this weight band may be notable enough to sustain an article. For bizjets and GA aircraft, other factors need to be taken into account, such as Wikinotable people being involved, or the number of deaths.
  • up to 5,700 kg - generally bizjets and GA aircraft. Not normally notable enough to be mentioned on Wikipeda, although there will be occasional exceptions which may, in extreme cases, merit an article.
  • Helicopters - the loss of any large helicopter above 5,700 kg MTOW should be considered as notable enough to be mentioned on Wikipedia, possibly sustaining an article depending on circumstances.
  • Military aircraft - Combat losses are generally non-notable. Military accidents should be treated as above, based on the size of the aircraft. Over 14,000 kg MTOW should generally be capable of sustaining and article. Over 5,700 kg MTOW may be capable of sustaining an article. Under 5,700 kg MTOW generally non-notable, with occasional exceptions.
  • Mid-air collisions - any mid-air collision involving at least one aircraft of 5,700 kg MTOW or above should be notable enough to be mentioned. In many cases, an article can be sustained. For aircraft below 5,700 kg MTOW, generally non-notable, although there will be occasional exceptions.
  • Deaths - any accident causing 10 or more deaths (in total) should generally be notable enough to sustain an article. However, a lower number or lack of deaths should not be a reason to deny notability to an accident.
  • Non hull-loss accidents. An accident or incident that does not result in a hull-loss may be notable enough to be covered on Wikipedia. In some cases, an article may be sustained.
  • Older aircraft types
For Aircraft types introduced before 1960, a threshold of 10 passenger seats should be where notability is assumed. For aircraft types introduced before 1940, a threshold of 4 passenger seats should be where notability is assumed. For aircraft types introuced before 1920, a threshold of 2 passenger seats should be where notability is assumed. Cargo aircraft should be considered as equivalent to the passenger version of the aircraft when defining the limit (i.e. no loss of notability because it was not carrying passengers).
    • Examples
Pre 1960 aircraft with more than 10 passenger seats - de Havilland Heron (introduced 1950, 17 seats), de Havilland Dove (introduced 1945, 11 seats).
Pre 1940 aircraft with more than 4 passenger seats - de Havilland Dragon (introduced 1933, 7 seats), de Havilland Express (introduced 1934, 10 seats).
Pre 1920 aircraft with more than 2 passenger seats - de Havilland DH.18 (introduced 1919, 8 seats), Fokker F.II (introduced 1919, 4 seats).

For aircraft and helicopters under 5,700 kg MTOW the following factors add to the notability of an accident, but do not necessarily automatically give enough notability for a stand alone article, coverage may be in the section of an article.

  • The event involved the death of a person of sufficient individual notability to have their own biography page in Wikipedia (and the biography is not solely due to them being an accident victim)
  • The event resulted in changes to procedures, regulations or issuance of an Airworthiness Directives (or the equivalent to an AD in the case of non-certified aircraft).
  • A mid-air collision occurs.
    • Examples
Stand alone articles
2008 Farnborough plane crash (two Wikinotable people killed)
1974 Norfolk mid-air collision (resulted in changes to military low-flying procedures)
Section of article
Dyn'Aéro#Accidents and incidents (resulted in an Airworthiness Directive grounding all aircraft for inspection and possible modification)
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