So death is the scariest thing you can think of. I wonder why.
In my case, fear of death comes from the prospect of experiencing an excruciating pain at the moment of, or moments leading up to death. As far as I'm aware, the classical experience of pain that we're all familiar with that involves the thalamus and cerebral cortex requires that a person be conscious; it's debatable though. I mean, pain is still transmitted via the nervous system and received, but you shouldn't be aware of it. Although cell death could take up to a few minutes after the flow of blood stops, loss of consciousness happens much quicker. In any case, I'm quite compelled to believe that once the heart gives out on you, due to anything from cardiac arrest to a knife stab for example, the conscious experience of pain is fleeting. It's a different story for the people who bleed to death over a longer duration due to less severe wounds though; now that's scary.
I find myself quite incapable of comprehending one's post-death experience as anything other than a cessation of consciousness. Once the frontal lobe ceases to function and one lacks the ability to experience conscious thought, it's really the end. Some might compare this to a dreamless sleep. Does that sound scary? Suppose you're really tired and just fell into a deep sleep. Do you, while asleep, concern yourself with what happens around you?
On a personal note, my grandfather passed away quite recently from cancer. I'd visited him at the hospice every other day. By his labored breathing and tensed facial muscles, he seemed to be in constant pain. He was constantly falling in and out of consciousness, seemingly unaware of everything around him. When his time finally came, he appeared to be sound asleep; not a sign of discomfort. I know it's a little presumptuous and cold of me to say so, but it seemed to me that he wasn't even aware of his final moments. If you view it in that perspective, perhaps a natural death isn't so scary. The world just went on without him; he could finally enjoy a long dreamless sleep after suffering for so long.
Sure it's good to practice self-preservation and live a safe healthful life, but the way I see it, when it's time to go, it's time to go.
On a side note, statistically, car travel is more dangerous than travel by airplane. Here's a fun read.
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/air-travel-safer-car-travel-1581.html