This Classic Plane Crash Riddle Is Tricking Everyone—Can You Solve It?
Brain teasers and word riddles have a clever way of using our brain’s automatic reading habits against us. A handwritten riddle on spiral notebook paper has been causing lively debates across social media, leaving thousands of readers arguing in the comment section.
The riddle reads: “A plane crashes exactly on the border of two states. Where do they bury the survivors?”
At first glance, your mind instantly jumps into geography mode. You might start wondering about legal jurisdictions, state laws, local cemeteries, or splitting the crash site equally between both state lines.
However, the secret to solving this puzzle isn’t about geography or aviation laws at all—it comes down to basic reading comprehension.
Read the question one more time very carefully: “Where do they bury the SURVIVORS?”
Did you catch it?
Answer: You don’t bury survivors—they survived the crash!
The riddle subtly relies on your brain assuming a plane crash results only in fatalities, tricking you into glossing over the key word. If you caught the word trick right away, give yourself a pat on the back for staying sharp!


