There is also the primal fear of falling down (I often have dreams of falling down and get jolted awake). Another major issue is the awareness and helplessness

There is also the primal fear of falling down (I often have dreams of falling down and get jolted awake). Another major issue is the awareness and helplessness. In a car accident everything happens so fast, you only have time to go 'On Sh..'. Sometimes not even that. Some people get T-Boned and die without knowing what happened. But in case of an airliner, usually you know well ahead of time something is wrong. Engines are visibly on fire, there is fire in the cabin, it is flying side ways, it is lurching all over the place, it is spinning out of control.. etc. You have time to panic , scream, curse and cry. Personally this is what terrifies me.