Fatal Fixed-wing Genav Accident Rates Reach New Lows
Non-commercial fixed-wing fatal accidents have reached new lows, a mark that the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute credits at least in part to a strong industry/government collaborative effort to boost general aviation safety. AOPA’s ASI released the 25th Joseph T. Nall Report this month, finding that for the first time in the report’s history, non-commercial fixed-wing fatal accidents fell below one per 100,000 flight hours. That rate occurred in 2013, which was the most recent complete set of annual accident data and findings that ASI could track for the 25th edition of the Nall report.
Early data on fatal accidents in 2014 point to a slight uptick in the rate, but the number of accidents in that year is among the three lowest on record and well below the most recent 10-year average. “There is good reason to be optimistic as general aviation moves forward,” said ASI senior v-p George Perry. “I am encouraged by the achievements to date and the positive safety trends.”
Perry noted the numerous government/industry initiatives, pointing to the Part 23 rewrite, the updated FAA compliance philosophy and efforts to encourage installation of voluntary equipment. “I can’t recall a time where industry, government and associations have been so well aligned to help improve general aviation safety,” he said.
Read Expanded Version