Tu-154: These Eastern European Aircraft are Accident Prone

These ancient aircraft, which were introduced into the Russian fleet in the 1970's, are still in service in Russia and other parts of Eastern Europe, even though they have been retired in China (and subsequently sold back to Russia).Despite their age, many more Tu-154 accidents have occurred due to freak events, like weather, fires, or fuel shortages, than technical problems.

Whether or not this is comforting, I don't know. I've had a personal experiences with an ancient, rickety aircraft, which I wasn't sure would make it over the Urals with both wings intact. The interior rattled, squeaked, groaned, and shook upon take-off and, eerily and persistantly, during flight. Compartment doors kept flying open, which unconcerned flight attendants clicked closed as they walked past. The plane did make it - twice - so I chalk it up to experience and feel it must be character-building . . . somehow.