A new report on the US ABC’s website questions whether it really is safe to use portable electronic devices during flights.
A report has been released by the International Air Transport Association covering the years 2003 to 2009. It documents 75 separate incidents of possible electronic interference. The report is based upon survey responses from 125 airlines, and lists incidents that airline crew members believed were linked to mobile phones and other electronic devices.
This report indicates that twenty six incidents affected the planes’ flight control systems, and in one instance reported, actually disengaged the plane’s autopilot system. Other instances affected communications systems or produced responses in the planes’ electronic warning systems.
It should be noted here that nothing has been determined to be proven or conclusive, though.