Do you tune out as soon as you get on the plane or it's about to land? That's probably not a good idea, according to research on when most accidents happen. The "plus three, minus eight" rule can help you stay alert when you fly.

In an article on ABC News, Ben Sherwood, author of "The Survivors Club — The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life" (and president of ABC News) says that 80 percent of all plane crashes happen within the first three minutes of takeoff or in the eight minutes before landing. These are the times you'll want to stay alert just in case. Leave your shoes on, the reading for later, etc.

To be clear, we don't want anyone to become paranoid about air travel. Statistically speaking, flying is still one of the safest ways to travel (and even if there is a crash, like the one that happened this weekend at San Francisco International Airport, the vast majority of travelers survive).

The more you know, though, and the better prepared you are (for any crisis), the better your chances of staying calm and safe.

 At the very least, the "plus three, minus eight" rule could reassure anyone who is afraid to fly: Once you're past those few minutes, the chances of the plane crashing are dramatically lower.

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 Hit up the link below for more tips of plane crash survival, including tips on where to sit if you're really concerned (hint:  it's not first class).

 Surviving a Plane Crash: Where You Sit Could Be The Difference Between Life and Death | ABC News

  Photo by  David Watts1978.