Aviation Accidents and Incidents | Clifford Law Offices (2024)

An Analysis of Over 40 Years of Airplane Crash Data

How safe are airlines and general aircraft? We looked at every aviation accident and incident reported to the NTSB over nearly 40 years to find out.

Aviation Accidents and Incidents | Clifford Law Offices (1)In the wake of the deadly crashes involving Boeing’s 737 Max 8, airline and general aviation safety are back in the world’s collective consciousness. While air travel is often touted as one of the safest forms of transportation, these incidents have underscored the fact that when accidents occur, the results are often catastrophic. In just two crashes, 346 passengers and crew were killed – 157 in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash and another 189 in the Lion Air Flight 610 crash.

While the 737 Max 8’s were grounded, hundreds of other planes and aircraft crash each year. In 2018 alone, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated 1,581 aviation accidents and incidents that left 847 people dead and another 768 people injured.

This information left us to wonder, how often do planes crash? How many people have been killed in aviation and airline accidents? Which planes and which manufacturers are involved in the most crashes?

The Chicago personal injury attorneys at Clifford Law Offices analyzed 37 years of aviation crash and incident data from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board to find answers to these and other questions.

While most of the analysis in the article covers the years of 1982 through 2018, we have included data from the years 2019-2023 in certain areas. During those five years, a total of 7,318 aviation accidents were investigated by the NTSB – 1,601 of which were fatal.

Aviation Accidents and Incidents | Clifford Law Offices (2024)

FAQs

Who investigates aviation accidents? ›

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates every civil aviation accident in the U.S. and significant accidents in other modes of transportation. Based on their investigative findings and special studies, the board makes recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents.

Which person has sole responsibility for reporting accidents and incidents to the NTSB FAA or other government entity? ›

In accordance with CAPR 160-2, if an SSO involves a possible reportable accident or incident, CAP/SE, or their designee, has sole responsibility for reporting CAP aircraft accidents and incidents to the NTSB, FAA, or other government entity, as applicable.

What accidents or incidents are required to be reported immediately to the NTSB? ›

§ 830.5 Immediate notification.
  • (1) Flight control system malfunction or failure;
  • (2) Inability of any required flight crewmember to perform normal flight duties as a result of injury or illness;
  • (3) Failure of any internal turbine engine component that results in the escape of debris other than out the exhaust path;

Do all aviation incidents need to be reported? ›

Coping With In Flight Emergencies

All aircraft accidents must be reported to the nearest National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Field Office. An understanding of the definition of accident may save you from reporting something that is not required.

Who does the NTSB answer to? ›

However, from 1967 to 1975, the NTSB reported to the DOT for administrative purposes, while conducting investigations into the Federal Aviation Administration, also a DOT agency. To avoid any conflict, Congress passed the Independent Safety Board Act, and on April 1, 1975, the NTSB became a fully independent agency.

What two agencies usually investigate aircraft accidents? ›

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide any updates.

How much do NTSB investigators make? ›

Find Salaries by Job Title at National Transportation Safety Board
Job TitleTotal Pay Base | Additional
Accident Investigator 2 Salaries submitted $59K-$91K $73K | $0 0 open jobs$59K-$91K $73K | $0
Senior Technical Writer/Editor 1 Salaries submitted $72K-$113K $90K | $0 0 open jobs$72K-$113K $90K | $0
18 more rows

Who runs the NTSB? ›

Biography. ​​​Jennifer L. Homendy [pronounced HAH-mendy] was sworn in as the 15th Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on August 13, 2021, after being nominated by the President and unanimously confirmed by the Senate.

Why are the FAA and NTSB separate? ›

NTSB investigates accidents, or sometimes incidents, and holds meetings on specific safety issues. The FAA is required to regulate U.S. aviation. Federal law requires the FAA to cost-justify any regulation they impose, this causes a different process than the NTSB uses.

Are NTSB findings admissible in court? ›

The NTSB's Probable Cause Opinions Are Inadmissible In Court. Under the Federal Aviation Act (“FAA”) as well as case law around the country, at most, only the factual portions of these reports are admissible as evidence in civil litigation. Federal Aviation Act of 1958, § 701(e), 49 U.S.C.

Do incidents need to be reported to NTSB? ›

The operator of an aircraft must file with the NTSB Field Office nearest the accident or incident any report required by this section.

What is the difference between an incident and an accident according to the NTSB? ›

Fatal injury means any injury which results in death within 30 days of the accident. Incident means an occurrence other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft, which affects or could affect the safety of operations.

What is not a reportable incident? ›

Suicides are not reportable, as the death does not result from a work-related accident. hypothermia, heat-induced illness or requires resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours.

What is mandatory reporting in aviation? ›

In mandatory reporting systems operational personnel are required to report accidents and certain types of incidents. ICAO Annex 13, Appendix C provides a list of examples of serious incidents that are to be reported.

What is the difference between an accident and an incident in aviation? ›

An accident is when damage is done to an aircraft or person whereas an incident is an event the could have caused an accident.

What is the difference between the FAA and NTSB? ›

In the event of a loss, the NTSB serves as investigator to determine criminal liability, attempting to improve air travel safety in the future. The FAA's role in aviation law is to ensure the adherence of safety standards by overseeing the maintenance, operation, and manufacturing of all aircraft.

How are aviation accidents investigated? ›

On-Scene & Fact Gathering

This includes when an NTSB investigator or investigative team (the Go Team​) travels to the accident site, as well as time spent gathering additional information from outside of the accident scene itself, such as flight logs, maintenance records, and personal interviews.

Does the FAA investigate plane crashes? ›

The Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention is the principal organization within FAA with respect to aircraft accident investigation and all activities related to the National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB ).

What are aviation investigators called? ›

Alternative titles for this job include Air accident engineering inspector, air accident operations inspector, Inspector of air accidents. Air accident investigators search for the causes of accidents and serious incidents, involving civilian aircraft.

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