This is true in a statistical sense. The reason why people do this is when getting on a plane you have a total lack of control of your surroundings. You are not allowed to inspect the maintenance records you are not allowed to determine the qualifications of the pilots you are not allowed to do a whole host of other things that are supposed to be taken care of by the processes in place. So when those processes break down it makes people apprehensive. Because we were told trust the processes but we're shown that we can't trust the processes. It really doesn't matter that the statistical likelihood is extremely small compared to alternative forms of transportation.

When I get in my car I personally am in control of a large amount of the risk that I take. I have decided the maintenance of my vehicle when I get on the road I can be vigilant about those around me and choose to take actions to minimize my risk. Now that being said a large number of people get behind the wheel of their car and they take no steps to minimize their risk. Even when they see something ahead that seems risky they take no action to avoid it until the last possible moment when it is often too late. Still even in those circumstances they are in control of that risk and it's easier for people to accept that.