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unairworthy

unairworthy

8.9
A plane or helicopter that is not safe to fly because it fails safety checks
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌnˈɛrˌwɜrði/
  • Specialized
translation icon : no apto para volar
  • Passengers were understandably worried to learn that the airline had operated unairworthy aircraft without proper inspections.

Examples

  • The regulations prohibit airlines from transporting passengers in unairworthy aircraft.

  • Before any flight, the maintenance crew must ensure that the aircraft is not unairworthy to guarantee passenger safety.

  • After the inspection, the mechanic declared the plane unairworthy and grounded it for repairs.

  • Flying an unairworthy helicopter poses serious risks to both crew and passengers.

  • Don't fly in that unairworthy plane!

  • The aircraft was deemed unairworthy after the inspection.

  • The aviation inspector grounded the plane because it was deemed unairworthy due to several safety violations.

Synonyms

unacceptable
vsunairworthy
256 3.2

Not good enough or not allowed by rules

is judged unsafe for flying specifically, not just poor quality
unfit
vsunairworthy
51 3.7

Not suitable for a particular job or use

is specifically about being unsafe for aircraft operation rather than general unfitness
not acceptable
vsunairworthy
44 2.2

Not allowed by rules and not good enough for standards

is focused on failing safety rules for flight rather than rule violation in general
unsuitable
vsunairworthy
20 2.6

Not right for a person, place, or purpose

is about failing aircraft safety requirements rather than general inappropriateness
unusable
vsunairworthy
16 2.3

Damaged or broken so it does not work

is about being unsafe to fly even if still operable in other ways

Antonyms

airworthy
  • Specialized
1 5.9

In good condition and safe to fly according to official rules

How Airworthy

certified
4 4.0
airworthy
  • Specialized
1 5.9
unairworthy
  • Specialized
8.9
unsafe
93 1.1

Surface Forms

unairworthy positive

Morphology

unairworthy = airworthy (transparent) = un + air + worthy

The adjective 'airworthy' (air + worthy) is clear and adding 'un-' produces a straightforward negation meaning 'not fit for flight'.

Etymology

Unairworthy is made of un- 'not', air, and worthy 'fit'. So it means 'not fit for the air', which is why it describes a plane or aircraft that is not safe to fly.