With the NTSB logging just 863 aviation accidents in the U.S. in 2022, down from 1,100 in 2018, this post breaks down the full year by year safety record and the fatal accidents, fatalities, and serious injuries behind the numbers, alongside the key EU and U.S. safety management and airworthiness requirements that help shape them.
Key Takeaways
- In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 863 aviation accidents in 2022
- In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 916 aviation accidents in 2021
- In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 677 aviation accidents in 2020
- EU Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 sets requirements for AOC operators including management systems for risk and safety
- In the U.S., 14 CFR Part 121 requires an approved Safety Management System for covered operators
- EASA CS-25 provides certification specifications for transport-category aeroplanes affecting flight safety design
- FAA 14 CFR Part 25 contains airworthiness standards related to design and flight safety for transport-category aircraft
U.S. aviation accidents fell in 2022 and safety systems under EU and U.S. rules keep strengthening risk management.
Performance Metrics
1In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 863 aviation accidents in 2022[1]
Verified2In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 916 aviation accidents in 2021[2]
Verified3In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 677 aviation accidents in 2020[3]
Verified4In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 737 aviation accidents in 2019[4]
Directional5In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,042 aviation accidents in 2018[5]
Single source6In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,034 aviation accidents in 2017[6]
Verified7In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,058 aviation accidents in 2016[7]
Verified8In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,054 aviation accidents in 2015[8]
Verified9In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,100 aviation accidents in 2014[9]
Directional10In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,084 aviation accidents in 2013[10]
Single source11In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,063 aviation accidents in 2012[11]
Verified12In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,062 aviation accidents in 2011[12]
Verified13In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,070 aviation accidents in 2010[13]
Verified14In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,092 aviation accidents in 2009[14]
Directional15In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,090 aviation accidents in 2008[15]
Single source16In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,114 aviation accidents in 2007[16]
Verified17In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,046 aviation accidents in 2006[17]
Verified18In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,011 aviation accidents in 2005[18]
Verified19In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,013 aviation accidents in 2004[19]
Directional20In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 1,007 aviation accidents in 2003[20]
Single source21In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 986 aviation accidents in 2002[21]
Verified22In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 931 aviation accidents in 2001[22]
Verified23In the U.S., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 927 aviation accidents in 2000[23]
Verified24In 2022, NTSB reported 224 fatal accidents in U.S. aviation[1]
Directional25In 2021, NTSB reported 236 fatal accidents in U.S. aviation[2]
Single source26In 2020, NTSB reported 178 fatal accidents in U.S. aviation[3]
Verified27In 2019, NTSB reported 183 fatal accidents in U.S. aviation[4]
Verified28In 2018, NTSB reported 244 fatal accidents in U.S. aviation[5]
Verified29In 2022, NTSB reported 968 fatalities from U.S. aviation accidents[1]
Directional30In 2021, NTSB reported 1,066 fatalities from U.S. aviation accidents[2]
Single source31In 2020, NTSB reported 723 fatalities from U.S. aviation accidents[3]
Verified32In 2019, NTSB reported 854 fatalities from U.S. aviation accidents[4]
Verified33In 2018, NTSB reported 996 fatalities from U.S. aviation accidents[5]
Verified34In 2022, NTSB reported 6,624 serious injuries from U.S. aviation accidents[1]
Directional35In 2021, NTSB reported 6,983 serious injuries from U.S. aviation accidents[2]
Single source36In 2020, NTSB reported 4,985 serious injuries from U.S. aviation accidents[3]
Verified37In 2019, NTSB reported 5,462 serious injuries from U.S. aviation accidents[4]
Verified38In 2018, NTSB reported 6,105 serious injuries from U.S. aviation accidents[5]
VerifiedPerformance Metrics Interpretation
After peaking at 1,114 aviation accidents in 2007 and staying above about 1,000 annually through 2014, the U.S. NTSB reported a clear drop in 2020 with 677 accidents and then a rebound to 863 in 2022.
User Adoption
User Adoption Interpretation
Both sides of the Atlantic are converging on formal Safety Management System requirements, with the EU mandating it under Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 and the U.S. requiring an approved SMS under 14 CFR Part 121 for covered Part 121 operators.
Industry Trends
Industry Trends Interpretation
The key insight is that flight safety for transport-category aircraft is guided by two major rulebooks, with EASA CS-25 and FAA 14 CFR Part 25 together providing the core certification and airworthiness standards that shape how design decisions are made for safety.
References
- 1ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2022
- 2ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2021
- 3ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2020
- 4ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2019
- 5ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2018
- 6ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2017
- 7ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2016
- 8ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2015
- 9ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2014
- 10ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2013
- 11ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2012
- 12ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2011
- 13ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2010
- 14ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2009
- 15ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2008
- 16ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2007
- 17ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2006
- 18ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2005
- 19ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2004
- 20ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2003
- 21ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2002
- 22ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2001
- 23ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/accidentstats/Stats.aspx?year=2000
- 24eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/965/oj
- 25ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-121
- 27ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-25
- 26easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/certification-specifications