Commercial jets show a fatal accident rate of 0.11 per million departures. Human error appears in 80 percent of cases while runway excursions make up 32 percent of commercial accidents. Regional differences range from zero fatal events for some long standing operators to rates several times the global average in other areas.
Key Takeaways
- Between 2013 and 2022, the global rate of fatal accidents per million departures for commercial jets was 0.11, a record low.
- Boeing 737 involved in 200+ loss of control accidents.
- Controlled flight into terrain caused 25% of fatalities 2010-2020.
- In 2022, commercial aviation fatalities totaled 158 worldwide.
- North America had 40% of global accidents 2022.
While fatalities are rare, serious accidents most often involve weather, human error, and runway factors.
Related reading
01 · Category
Accident Frequency and Rates30 stats
01
Between 2013 and 2022, the global rate of fatal accidents per million departures for commercial jets was 0.11, a record low.
02
In 2023, there were 6 fatal airliner accidents worldwide, compared to 4 in 2022.
03
The worldwide jet hull loss rate in 2022 was 0.41 per million departures.
04
From 1945 to 2023, over 22,000 aviation accidents have been recorded, with 12,000 involving fatalities.
05
In 2021, the accident rate for Western-built jets was 1.15 per million sectors flown.
06
US commercial aviation had zero fatal accidents in 2023 for Part 121 operators.
07
Between 2008 and 2017, turboprop accident rate was 1.19 per million departures globally.
08
In 2020, due to COVID-19, global aviation accidents dropped to 28, the lowest in decades.
09
The all-accident rate for jets in 2022 was 0.81 per million departures.
10
From 2014-2023, regional jets had a fatal accident rate of 0.24 per million flights.
11
In 2019, there were 147 aviation accidents worldwide with 257 fatalities.
12
EU-registered aircraft had 0.47 accidents per million flight hours in 2022.
13
Global helicopter accident rate was 3.38 per 100,000 hours in 2021.
14
Between 1959-2023, Boeing 737 family involved in 529 accidents.
15
In 2022, Africa had the highest jet accident rate at 4.48 per million departures.
16
US general aviation accidents totaled 1,225 in 2022.
17
Worldwide fatal accident rate for turboprops was 0.89 per million deps in 2022.
18
In 2018, 520 people died in 15 fatal commercial accidents globally.
19
Piston-engine aircraft accident rate was 5.8 per 100,000 hours in 2023.
20
From 2000-2023, narrowbody jets had 0.15 fatal accidents per million flights.
21
In 2023, 129 accidents reported to ICAO, with 72 fatal.
22
Brazil recorded 12 aviation accidents in 2022.
23
Global all-accident rate improved 55% from 2013 to 2022.
24
In 2021, 167 accidents with 176 fatalities worldwide.
25
Jet hull-loss accidents totaled 4 in 2023.
26
Australia had 0.22 accidents per million hours in 2022.
27
From 2010-2020, business jets had 1.02 accidents per million hours.
28
In 2020, only 2 fatal jet accidents globally.
29
Canada reported 198 GA accidents in 2022.
30
Worldwide turbine helicopter rate: 0.72 per 100,000 hours in 2022.
Interpretation
Accident Frequency and Rates Interpretation
Though aviation safety has reached impressive statistical heights, we must remember that every decimal point in these records represents a complex story of human endeavor and tragedy that demands our unwavering respect and continuous improvement.
02 · Category
Aircraft Types Involved21 stats
01
Boeing 737 involved in 200+ loss of control accidents.
02
Airbus A320 family in 150+ accidents since 1988.
03
Cessna 172 most involved GA aircraft with 1,500+ accidents.
04
Boeing 747 hull losses: 65 since 1970.
05
ATR 72 turboprops in 80 accidents, 20 fatal.
06
Embraer ERJ family: 25 accidents, low fatal rate.
07
McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series: 40+ accidents.
08
Bombardier CRJ series in 50+ incidents, 5 fatal.
09
Sikorsky S-76 helicopters: 20 accidents since 1980.
10
Piper PA-28 Cherokee: 2,000+ GA accidents.
11
Boeing 777: only 5 hull losses in 30 years.
12
Robinson R44 most accident-prone light helicopter.
13
Airbus A330: 10 fatal accidents, low rate.
14
Beechcraft Baron: high accident rate in twins.
15
Antonov An-26: 100+ accidents in cargo ops.
16
Dash 8 turboprops: 40 accidents since 1984.
17
Fokker 50: 25 accidents, several fatal.
18
Bell 206 helicopters: 1,200+ accidents globally.
19
Cirrus SR22: 200+ accidents despite parachute.
20
Ilyushin Il-76: 70 hull losses in military/cargo.
21
Let L-410: high accident rate in regions.
Interpretation
Aircraft Types Involved Interpretation
The sobering truth behind these numbers is that while aviation remains incredibly safe, the safest aircraft are the ones whose manufacturers, operators, and regulators never stop learning from the accidents of others.
03 · Category
Causes of Accidents23 stats
01
Controlled flight into terrain caused 25% of fatalities 2010-2020.
02
Loss of control in flight (LOC-I) accounted for 17% of accidents 2005-2014.
03
Runway excursions represent 32% of all commercial accidents since 2005.
04
Human error involved in 80% of aviation accidents per NTSB data.
05
Engine failure caused 12% of fatal accidents 2013-2022.
06
Weather-related accidents make up 23% of GA crashes.
07
Mid-air collisions account for 1.5% of commercial accidents but higher fatalities.
08
Bird strikes involved in 13% of US civil accidents 1990-2020.
09
Fuel exhaustion caused 15% of GA fatal accidents 2022.
10
System/component failure 18% of jet accidents 2018-2023.
11
Runway incursion risks in 20% of excursions per ICAO.
12
Pilot fatigue cited in 15-20% of accidents per FAA.
13
Icing conditions led to 6% of fatal turboprop accidents.
14
Maintenance errors in 12% of mechanical failure accidents.
15
Loss of control on takeoff 25% of LOC-I events.
16
Terrorism/sabotage in 2% of accidents but 10% fatalities 1970-2020.
17
Spatial disorientation caused 10% of GA night accidents.
18
Windshear encounters in 1% but high risk at airports.
19
Controlled flight into terrain reduced 50% with EGPWS.
20
Boeing 737 MAX MCAS issues led to 2 crashes, 346 deaths.
21
Overweight/ice contamination caused Air Florida 90 crash.
22
Airbus A320 rudder issues investigated in 1990s accidents.
23
40% of runway excursions due to wet runways.
Interpretation
Causes of Accidents Interpretation
While humans are reliably responsible for most of aviation's tragedies, the statistics coldly detail our specific and persistent failures: from flying perfectly good planes into the ground to losing control, straying off wet runways, or simply running out of gas.
More related reading
04 · Category
Fatalities and Injuries30 stats
01
In 2022, commercial aviation fatalities totaled 158 worldwide.
02
The 1977 Tenerife disaster remains the deadliest with 583 fatalities.
03
From 2010-2019, 66,489 fatalities in all aviation accidents globally.
04
In 2014, MH370 disappearance led to 239 presumed fatalities.
05
US commercial flights had 0 fatalities in 2019 for scheduled service.
06
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash killed 157 in 2019.
07
Between 2000-2023, 45,000+ fatalities in commercial jet accidents.
08
Lion Air Flight 610 crash resulted in 189 deaths in 2018.
09
In 2023, 244 fatalities from 6 fatal accidents.
10
Japan Air Lines Flight 123 had 520 fatalities in 1985, deadliest single-aircraft.
11
Over 1,200 serious injuries reported in US GA accidents in 2022.
12
Air India Express Flight 1344 crash injured 9 of 190 survivors in 2020.
13
From 2015-2024, 1,456 fatalities in turboprop accidents worldwide.
14
Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision killed all 349 aboard in 1996.
15
In 2021, 121 fatalities from commercial operations.
16
Yeti Airlines Flight 691 crash killed 72 in 2023.
17
Over 500 injuries in runway excursions globally 2022.
18
American Airlines Flight 191 crash had 273 fatalities in 1979.
19
In 2010, 796 fatalities from 32 fatal accidents.
20
Brazil's Voepass Flight 2283 killed 62 in 2024.
21
3,346 serious injuries in US scheduled service 1982-2022.
22
Lockerbie bombing Pan Am 103 killed 270 in 1988.
23
In 2020, Pakistan International Airlines crash killed 97.
24
Global GA fatalities averaged 1,200 per year 2018-2023.
25
Air France Flight 447 crash resulted in 228 deaths in 2009.
26
158 minor injuries in 2023 US Part 135 operations.
27
Tenerife disaster injured 61 survivors.
28
In 2018, global fatalities totaled 561 from aviation.
29
72 fatalities in 2023 Nepal Yeti crash, all aboard.
30
Over 10,000 injuries in helicopter accidents 2000-2020.
Interpretation
Fatalities and Injuries Interpretation
While the tragic history of aviation provides sobering context, the relentless focus on incremental safety improvements is why your odds of dying in a commercial jetliner remain vanishingly small compared to almost any other form of travel.
05 · Category
Regional and Airline Statistics24 stats
01
North America had 40% of global accidents 2022.
02
Russia recorded 15 fatal accidents in 2023.
03
American Airlines: 20 fatal accidents since 2000.
04
Africa jet fatal rate 2.5x global average 2018-2022.
05
China: 10 commercial accidents 2010-2020.
06
Lufthansa group: zero fatal passenger accidents 30+ years.
07
Nepal: 15 fatal accidents since 2010, high rate.
08
Southwest Airlines: 1 fatal accident (2018) in 50 years.
09
Indonesia: 20+ fatal crashes 2000-2023.
10
Qantas: no fatal jet accidents since 1951.
11
India: 12 accidents with 500+ fatalities 2010s.
12
LATAM Airlines: 5 fatal events post-2000.
13
Middle East: lowest accident rate 0.2 per million 2022.
14
Aeroflot: 15 accidents 2000-2023.
15
Australia: 0.3 accidents per million hours.
16
United Airlines: 8 fatal post-deregulation.
17
Brazil: highest in South America, 25 accidents 2010-2020.
18
Ryanair: zero fatal accidents in 30+ years.
19
Pakistan: 10 fatal crashes since 2010.
20
Europe: 25% of global accidents, low fatal rate.
21
Delta Air Lines: no fatal crashes 2000-2024.
22
Asia-Pacific: 30% fatal accidents 2018-2023.
23
Turkish Airlines: 5 fatal since 2000.
24
Canada: 150 GA accidents yearly average.
Interpretation
Regional and Airline Statistics Interpretation
The global aviation safety record is a patchwork quilt sewn from sky-high achievements, like Lufthansa and Qantas's sterling decades, and sobering reminders—like Africa's elevated fatal rate or Russia's recent tally—that the unforgiving physics of flight demand our relentless vigilance, whether you're over the Australian outback or the Nepalese Himalayas.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Airplane Accident Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/airplane-accident-statistics
MLA
Stefan Wendt. "Airplane Accident Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/airplane-accident-statistics.
Chicago
Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Airplane Accident Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/airplane-accident-statistics.
Sources & references
36 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level