"It's been 10 months since the last worst air accident in Brazilian history, and now we've had an accident worse than that, " said David Fleischer, a political scientist at the University of Brasilia.

NPR: Brazilian Prosecutors Seek to Close Airport After Crash

He served as an instructor and Air Line Pilots Association safety chairman, accident investigator and national technical committee member, according to a biography on the site.

CNN: Pilot praised for 'masterful' landing

He was an instructor and Air Line Pilots Association safety chairman, accident investigator and national technical committee member, according to a biography on the Web site of his company.

CNN: US Airways captain the 'consummate pilot'

The accident happened in an area which is not under air traffic control, a FAA official who did not want to be identified discussing the details of the accident told CNN.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

But Iran endured the deadliest single accident of the year on 9 January, when an Iran Air Boeing 727 crashed near Orumiyeh, killing 77.

BBC: A record year in airline safety

We can be warned if the tires need air, and Onstar tells the police if we've had an accident and where and how bad.

FORBES: Falling in love

According to data from the International Air Transport Association, the chance of a commercial Western-built aircraft having an accident last year was one in three million.

BBC: A record year in airline safety