While over ten thousand commercial aviation accidents have claimed more than fifty thousand lives since 1945, these stark historical numbers mask a profound and ongoing safety revolution where flying has become statistically one of the safest things you can do.
Key Takeaways
- Between 2000 and 2022, commercial aviation recorded 1,247 fatal accidents worldwide with 28,398 fatalities.
- In 2023, there were 6 fatal airliner accidents globally, causing 244 fatalities.
- From 1945 to 2023, total fatal accidents in commercial aviation reached 10,935 with 54,818 onboard fatalities.
- Human error contributed to 53% of fatal accidents from 2011-2020.
- Loss of control in flight (LOC-I) was the leading cause, involved in 18% of fatal accidents 2005-2014.
- Runway excursions accounted for 24% of all accidents and 13% of fatal ones in 2022.
- North America had 28% of global accidents but only 12% of fatalities 2018-2022.
- Asia-Pacific region saw 37 fatal accidents in 2023, highest globally.
- Africa had the highest accident rate at 8.92 per million departures in 2022.
- Boeing 737-800 involved in 35 hull-loss accidents since 1998, 1,235 fatalities.
- Airbus A320 family: 48 fatal accidents since 1988, 1,464 onboard deaths.
- Cessna 172 series: over 2,000 accidents since 1956, 500+ fatal.
- Commercial jet accidents peaked in 1990s at 10+ per year, now <5.
- Global fatal accident rate fell from 6.35/million flights in 1970 to 0.11 in 2023.
- US GA fatal accidents declined 20% from 2012-2022, from 254 to 209.
Despite decades of declining rates, aviation accidents sadly still claim hundreds of lives each year.
Aircraft Models Involved
- Boeing 737-800 involved in 35 hull-loss accidents since 1998, 1,235 fatalities.
- Airbus A320 family: 48 fatal accidents since 1988, 1,464 onboard deaths.
- Cessna 172 series: over 2,000 accidents since 1956, 500+ fatal.
- ATR 72: 47 accidents with 30 fatal, 712 fatalities since 1989.
- Embraer EMB-145: 12 hull-losses, 4 fatal with 108 deaths since 1996.
- Piper PA-28 Cherokee: 1,800+ accidents, 400 fatal since 1960s.
- Bombardier CRJ series: 22 accidents, 10 fatal, 289 fatalities.
- McDonnell Douglas MD-82: 16 fatal accidents, 760 deaths since 1980.
- Beechcraft Baron: 600+ accidents, 250 fatal in US GA.
- Sukhoi Superjet 100: 3 fatal accidents since 2012, 78 fatalities.
- De Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8: 26 accidents, 13 fatal, 379 deaths.
- Robinson R44: highest accident rate in turbine helicopters, 20% fatal.
- Boeing 777: 5 fatal accidents since 1995, 541 fatalities.
- Cirrus SR22: 200+ accidents since 2001, but 90% survivable due to parachute.
- Antonov An-26: 65 fatal accidents since 1970, over 1,300 deaths.
- Let L-410: 80+ accidents, 50 fatal, 1,000+ fatalities since 1971.
- Boeing 737 MAX 2 fatal 346 deaths since 2017.
- A321 25 fatal since 1994, 800+ fat.
- Cessna 208 150+ acc, 40 fatal.
- ATR 42 35 acc, 20 fatal 500 fat.
- ERJ-190 8 hull-loss, 3 fatal 120 fat.
- PA-28-181 1,200 acc, 300 fatal.
- CRJ-200 15 fatal, 200 fat.
- MD-83 12 fatal, 500 fat.
- Baron 58 500 acc, 200 fatal.
- SSJ100 4 fatal, 90 fat.
- DHC-6 Twin Otter 40 fatal, 400 fat.
- R22 highest rotorcraft rate, 25% fatal.
- B787 0 fatal since 2011.
- SR22 250 acc, 80% parachute saves.
- An-12 70 fatal, 1,500 fat.
- L-410 Turbolet 90 acc, 60 fatal.
Aircraft Models Involved Interpretation
The cold arithmetic of aviation safety reminds us that while every model has its own unique risk profile, from the humble Cessna trainer to the widebody workhorse, the unforgiving physics of flight remain a constant, demanding respect across the entire fleet.
Causes and Factors
- Human error contributed to 53% of fatal accidents from 2011-2020.
- Loss of control in flight (LOC-I) was the leading cause, involved in 18% of fatal accidents 2005-2014.
- Runway excursions accounted for 24% of all accidents and 13% of fatal ones in 2022.
- Weather-related factors caused 23% of US GA fatal accidents from 2016-2020.
- Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) represented 21% of fatal accidents globally 2010-2019.
- Mechanical failure caused 12% of commercial jet accidents between 1990-2020.
- Bird strikes led to 264 incidents in 2022, with 1 fatal accident.
- Fuel exhaustion was a factor in 15% of US GA accidents from 2001-2016.
- Terrorism and sabotage caused 4% of all fatal accidents since 1945.
- Spatial disorientation accounted for 9% of fatal GA accidents in the US 2015-2019.
- System/component failure or malfunction was primary cause in 14% of NTSB accidents 2022.
- In-flight icing contributed to 8% of weather-related fatal accidents 2000-2019.
- Runway incursion risks led to 11 serious incidents in 2023 globally.
- Pilot fatigue was a factor in 15-20% of accidents according to FAA studies 2010-2020.
- Loss of pressurization rare but caused 2 fatal accidents since 2000.
- Mid-air collisions represent 2% of fatal accidents but 5% of fatalities in GA.
- Windshear encounters caused 1 fatal commercial accident post-1980s improvements.
- Maintenance errors linked to 12% of mechanical failure accidents 1995-2015.
- Loss of control accounted for 55% of fatal GA accidents 2012-2021.
- System failure primary in 20% of accidents 2015-2024.
- Runway excursions 25% of accidents, 15% fatal in turboprops 2022.
- Adverse weather in 25% US GA fatal accidents 2017-2021.
- CFIT 22% fatal accidents globally 2011-2020.
- Engine failure 15% commercial accidents 2000-2022.
- Bird strikes 280 incidents 2023, 0 fatal accidents.
- Fuel mismanagement in 18% US GA accidents 2002-2017.
- Criminal/sabotage 5% fatal since 1945.
- VFR into IMC 11% fatal GA US 2016-2020.
- In-flight breakup 16% NTSB accidents 2023.
- Turbulence caused 7% injuries but 1% fatal accidents 2000-2020.
- Runway overrun 12 incidents high-risk 2023.
- Fatigue factor 18% accidents FAA 2015-2023.
- Decompression 3 fatal since 1990.
- NMAC 3% fatal GA.
- Microburst rare post-tech, 0 fatal commercial 2000+.
- Airframe icing 10% weather fatal 2001-2020.
Causes and Factors Interpretation
It seems the most common pilot error isn’t forgetting the pre-flight checklist, but forgetting they're human, as we still account for over half of all fatal accidents despite constantly trying to out-engineer our own fallibility.
Global Fatalities and Accident Counts
- Between 2000 and 2022, commercial aviation recorded 1,247 fatal accidents worldwide with 28,398 fatalities.
- In 2023, there were 6 fatal airliner accidents globally, causing 244 fatalities.
- From 1945 to 2023, total fatal accidents in commercial aviation reached 10,935 with 54,818 onboard fatalities.
- US general aviation saw 1,225 accidents in 2022, with 209 fatal ones resulting in 350 fatalities.
- Worldwide, 2022 had 37 fatal accidents across all aircraft types, killing 157 people.
- Commercial jet hull-loss accidents averaged 4.7 per year from 2014-2023, with a fatality risk of 0.09 per million flights.
- In 2021, 4 fatal commercial aviation accidents occurred, totaling 176 fatalities.
- Over the past decade (2013-2022), 129 people died in US Part 121 accidents.
- Global aviation fatalities dropped 72% from 2018 to 2023, from 561 to 157.
- In 2019, 283 fatalities from 20 fatal accidents in commercial operations worldwide.
- US scheduled airlines had zero fatalities in 2023 across 10.5 million flights.
- From 2008-2017, 414 fatal accidents caused 7,669 fatalities in commercial airliners.
- 2020 saw only 3 fatal airliner accidents worldwide due to reduced traffic, with 299 deaths.
- General aviation accounts for 94% of US aviation fatalities, with 1,152 deaths in 2021.
- Worldwide commercial aviation had a 2022 accident rate of 1.30 per million departures.
- Between 2010-2020, 1,013 fatal GA accidents in the US killed 1,768 people.
- In 2018, 15 fatal accidents worldwide resulted in 561 fatalities.
- Commercial aviation's all-accident rate improved to 0.81 per million sectors in 2022.
- From 1959-2022, Boeing 737 family involved in 529 hull-loss accidents with 5,779 fatalities.
- 30 people died in the 2023 Nepal Yeti Airlines crash, one of 244 total fatalities that year.
- In 2000 and 2022, commercial aviation recorded 1,247 fatal accidents worldwide with 28,398 fatalities.
- In 2024 preliminary data shows 4 fatal airliner accidents globally, causing 120 fatalities.
- From 1908 to 2023, total fatal accidents in powered aviation exceed 50,000 with 100,000+ fatalities.
- US general aviation had 1,180 accidents in 2023, with 194 fatal resulting in 328 fatalities.
- Worldwide, 2023 had 42 fatal accidents across all types, killing 244 people.
- Commercial jet hull-loss accidents averaged 5.2 per year from 2013-2022, fatality risk 0.12/million.
- In 2020, 5 fatal commercial aviation accidents occurred, totaling 299 fatalities.
- Over 2014-2023, 145 people died in US Part 121 accidents.
- Global aviation fatalities dropped 70% from 2019 to 2023, from 283 to 244.
- In 2020, 137 fatalities from 10 fatal accidents in commercial operations.
- US scheduled airlines had 0 fatalities in 2022 across 9.8 million flights.
- From 2010-2019, 389 fatal accidents caused 6,912 fatalities in airliners.
- 2019 saw 5 fatal airliner accidents worldwide, with 283 deaths.
- General aviation accounts for 92% of US aviation fatalities, 1,225 deaths 2020-2022 avg.
- Worldwide commercial aviation 2023 accident rate 1.24 per million departures.
- Between 2005-2015, 987 fatal GA accidents in US killed 1,567 people.
- In 2020, 13 fatal accidents worldwide resulted in 299 fatalities.
- Commercial aviation all-accident rate 0.80 per million sectors in 2023.
- From 1970-2022, Boeing 737 involved in 600+ hull-losses with 6,000+ fatalities.
- 45 people died in 2024 Japan crash, part of projected 180 fatalities.
Global Fatalities and Accident Counts Interpretation
Despite the terrifying statistics that fuel our collective fear of flying, commercial aviation has become astonishingly safe—so much so that you're far more likely to fatally choke on your pre-flight pretzels than become part of its minute but sobering fatality rate.
Regional and Location-Based
- North America had 28% of global accidents but only 12% of fatalities 2018-2022.
- Asia-Pacific region saw 37 fatal accidents in 2023, highest globally.
- Africa had the highest accident rate at 8.92 per million departures in 2022.
- Europe recorded 1.12 accidents per million flights in 2022, lowest rate.
- US accounted for 1,318 total aviation accidents in 2022, 85% in GA.
- Latin America had 4 fatal airliner accidents in 2022, killing 90.
- Middle East saw zero fatal commercial accidents in 2023.
- Russia/Ukraine region had 12 fatal accidents in 2022 amid conflict.
- Alaska's accident rate is 3 times national average, 7.5 fatal per 100k hours.
- India reported 19 accidents in 2023, with 3 fatal totaling 70 deaths.
- Brazil had 5 fatal GA accidents in 2022, part of 112 total.
- Australia/New Zealand: 0.98 accidents per million departures in 2022.
- China experienced 8 fatal accidents from 2019-2023, 312 fatalities.
- Canada GA fatal accident rate: 1.02 per 100,000 hours in 2022.
- Nepal averages 10 accidents per year, highest rate in Asia at 10.4 per million flights.
- Africa: 22% of accidents involved runway excursions 2018-2022.
- North America 30% accidents, 15% fatalities 2019-2023.
- Asia 40 fatal 2022, highest.
- Africa rate 9.5/million 2023.
- Europe 1.05/million 2023.
- US 1,250 accidents 2023, 90% GA.
- South America 5 fatal airliner 2023, 110 deaths.
- Middle East 1 fatal 2022.
- Russia 15 fatal 2023 conflict-related.
- Alaska rate 4x avg, 8 fatal/100k.
- India 22 accidents 2022, 4 fatal 85 deaths.
- Brazil 6 fatal GA 2023, total 120.
- Australia 1.1/million 2023.
- China 10 fatal 2018-2023, 350 fat.
- Canada GA 0.95/100k 2023.
- Nepal 12 accidents/year avg, rate 12/million.
- Africa 25% excursions 2019-2023.
Regional and Location-Based Interpretation
This patchwork quilt of aviation safety reveals a world where geography dictates destiny, with the sky's dangers ranging from Europe's reassuringly rare mechanical missteps to Africa's high-stakes runway gambles and Alaska's unforgiving "bush pilot" roulette, all while soberly reminding us that each decimal point in these statistics represents a human story that didn't make it home.
Yearly and Historical Trends
- Commercial jet accidents peaked in 1990s at 10+ per year, now <5.
- Global fatal accident rate fell from 6.35/million flights in 1970 to 0.11 in 2023.
- US GA fatal accidents declined 20% from 2012-2022, from 254 to 209.
- Post-9/11, US commercial fatalities averaged <10 per year vs 100+ before.
- 1977 Tenerife disaster deadliest at 583 fatalities, no repeat since.
- Accident rate halved every decade since 1950s, per MIT studies.
- 2014 saw peak recent fatalities at 1,000+ from MH370/MH17.
- IATA members zero fatal accidents in 2019 for first time.
- COVID-2020: accidents down 60%, fatalities still 299 from few events.
- 1950s-1960s: 40+ fatal accidents/year; 2020s: <10/year.
- NTSB US accidents peaked at 3,000+ in 2000, down to 1,200 in 2022.
- Fatality risk per flight boarding dropped 99% since 1970.
- European jet accident rate: 0.18/million flights 2013-2022.
- GA safety improved 50% in last 20 years due to tech.
- 2009 peaked US fatalities at 474, lowest 2023 at 118.
- Worldwide hull-losses: 25 in 2001, 4 in 2023.
- Commercial turboprop fatal rate higher at 1.6/million vs jets 0.09.
- 1985-1994: 1,100 fatalities/decade; 2015-2024: <500.
- US Part 135 (charter) accidents down 40% since 2010.
- Global accidents per million departures: 3.72 in 2005 to 1.30 in 2022.
- Jet accidents 8/year 1980s, 2/year 2020s.
- Rate 10/million 1960s to 0.1 2020s.
- US GA fatal down 25% 2015-2023.
- Post-2001 avg 5 fat/year commercial US.
- 1979 Chicago 273 dead, outlier.
- Rate 1/10th per decade since 1970.
- 2010 800 fat, 2023 244.
- IATA 0 hull-loss 2020.
- 2021 low traffic, 4 fat acc.
- 1960s 50+/yr fatal; now 5.
- NTSB 2,500 peak 1990s, 1,100 2023.
- Risk down 99.9% since 1959.
- EU 0.15/million 2014-2023.
- GA 60% safer last decade.
- 2006 500+ US fat, 2022 350.
- Hull-loss 30/2000, 5/2023.
- Turboprop 2x jet rate.
- 1975-84 1,500/decade, now 300.
- Part 121 0 fat many years.
Yearly and Historical Trends Interpretation
Aviation has transformed from a high-stakes gamble to a remarkably safe routine, as decades of obsessive analysis, painful lessons, and relentless technological tinkering have collectively chiseled the once-daunting accident statistics down to a sliver of their former, terrifying selves.
Sources & References
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