GA Accidents Up, But Fatalities Down To Lowest Levels In 40 Years

On Wednesday, the National Transportation Safety Board released preliminary aviation accident statistics for 2007.

The Safety Board's aviation accident statistics show while the overall number of general aviation accidents rose from 1,518 in 2006 to 1,631 in 2007, the number of fatalities in 2007 was down from 703 to 491. That 30 percent decrease resulted in the lowest annual total in more than 40 years.

In 2007, there were 24 nonfatal accidents involving Part 121 airlines (aircraft with 10 or more seats). One fatality occurred involving a nonscheduled Part 121 aircraft when a mechanic was fatally injured while working on a Boeing 737 in Tunica, MS.

No fatalities occurred among Part 135 commuter operators (fewer than 10 seats).

"The US aviation industry has produced an admirable safety record in recent years," said NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker. "However, we must not become complacent.  We must continue to take the lessons learned from our investigations and use them to create even safer skies for all aircraft operators and their passengers."

Not all the news was so encouraging, however. According to NTSB records, on-demand (charters, air taxis, air tours and medical services when a patient is on board) Part 135 operations reported 43 fatalities (62 accidents, 14 fatal accidents), up from the 16 fatalities that occurred in 2006.

Foreign-registered aircraft accounted for 11 accidents in the US in 2007, with three fatalities from a single fatal accident. Of the 14 accidents involving unregistered aircraft, six were fatal and resulted in seven fatalities.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov/aviation/stats.htm