TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A Japanese media outlet compiled past crash cases and shared seat selection tips on Tuesday (Jan. 7) in light of recent aviation disasters. With many questioning how to choose the safest seats on an airplane, a "News Post Seven" report revealed that the two surviving attendants of the Jeju Air Boeing 737 crash on Dec. 29, were seated in the rear cabin's simple kitchen area, which remained untouched by the explosion.
Historical data supports the safety of aircraft seating, the report indicated. In 1985, Japan Airlines (日本航空) Flight 123 crashed in Gunma Prefecture, killing 520 people, with only four survivors who were all seated in the rear. Similarly, in the 2014 TransAsia Airways (復興航空) crash in Penghu, Taiwan, 7 of 10 survivors were in the back.
An aviation journalist noted that 53% of accidents occur during landing, with the aircraft's nose hitting first, subjecting front seats to greater impact. Meanwhile, a 2007 "Popular Mechanics" survey was also cited, which found a 69% survival rate for rear seats in post-1971 crashes, compared to 56% for middle seats and 49% for front seats. Discovery Channel's 2012 experiment showed front seats enduring 12G forces, middle seats 8G, and rear seats 6G.
Seiji Abe, an honorary professor at Kansai University, acknowledged the higher survival rate for rear seats, though he emphasized that it depends on the crash type. He also noted that aisle seats offer better escape chances. In addition, a 2011 University of Greenwich study highlighted higher survival rates for passengers within five rows of an exit.