If you have a problem at cruising altitude, there&#x27;s usually time to deal with it.  Transport planes can glide 100-200 miles from that altitude if they have to.  Most aircraft accidents happen during takeoff, approach, or landing.  See NTSB reports.[1] High-altitude accidents are mostly in-flight fires, including two events involving lithium batteries.<p>There is, however, one commercial aircraft crash from problems at altitude (no passengers, ferry flight) worthy of a Darwin Award.[2]<p>[1] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ntsb.gov&#x2F;investigations&#x2F;AccidentReports&#x2F;Pages&#x2F;aviation.aspx" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ntsb.gov&#x2F;investigations&#x2F;AccidentReports&#x2F;Pages&#x2F;avi...</a>
[2] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ntsb.gov&#x2F;investigations&#x2F;AccidentReports&#x2F;Reports&#x2F;AAR0701.pdf" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ntsb.gov&#x2F;investigations&#x2F;AccidentReports&#x2F;Reports&#x2F;A...</a>