This past weekend, a regional commuter jet crashed in Kentucky when the plane departed from the incorrect runway. The Comair jet’s takeoff was from a private jet runway half the length of the appropriate commercial runway. The Lexington Herald-Leader has on-the-ground news of the tragedy, and the FAA is expected to post a preliminary report here.

Human error is the leading contributor in aircraft accidents, and we urge private flyers to ask pointed questions about crew qualifications, certification, experience, ongoing training and overall flight operations. When interviewing prospective providers, ask about dispatch and safety procedures, hiring practices and third-party auditors. Then for each flight, make sure you know the full-life particulars on aircraft, operator and crew. If you have any concerns with transparency or assurance, find another provider.

All aspects of life involve risk, whether it’s stepping into your car or into a bathtub. With private jet travel, there are steps you can take to ensure you’re putting your safety in the right hands. Below is an excerpt from our list of key due diligence questions in our forthcoming Decision Guide to Private Jet Travel. The guide will be available here free in the coming weeks.

• Do you retain a third-party rating firm? What rating do you hold?
• What is the scope of their review (crew, operational processes, maintenance, aircraft)?
• Can I receive ratings and history of crew and aircraft before the flight?
• How are flights released? Who holds the authority to cancel a flight?
• Are crew histories limited to the tenure of their current employment or for their entire career?
• What rating do you require of your supplemental lift?
• What are the three most severe incidents in your operating history (including supplemental lift)?
• What safety equipment is standard on the aircraft?
• Who performs maintenance on the aircraft (company mechanics, manufacturer, contractor)?
• What is the flight release process? Who holds the authority to delay or cancel a flight?
• What medical capabilities exist on-board for any emergencies?
• What is the average pilot flight-hours per year?
• What is the profile of your flight crews (experience, certification, testing)?
• How are pilots sourced & selected?
• What is the background checking procedure for pilots and maintenance workers?
• What are the minimum flight-hour requirements for newly-hired pilots (total/multi-eng/instr)?
• Please outline a newly-hired pilot’s first-year training and initiation.
• What are the recurring annual pilot training & certification requirements (incl ground school/simulator hours)?
• What is the maximum number of different plane models that a given pilot can fly?