Mon, Nov 08, 2004
GA Accidents Way Up In October
General aviation totaled 340 fatal accidents in fiscal year (FY)
2004 (October 1, 2003-September 30, 2004), well within the 349
"not-to-exceed" cap established by FAA Administrator Marion Blakey.
Unfortunately, GA is not off to a very good start in FY 2005 with
39 fatals recorded during the month of October 2004 alone. That's
the second deadliest October in over six years.
Five of the October fatals were in experimental amateur-built
aircraft, indicating a continuing trend toward lower fatal accident
rates for homebuilts. For FY 2004, homebuilts totaled 47 fatals,
down from 52 in FY 2003 and 63 in FY 2002. Past October totals were
1999 - 8; 2000 - 4; 2001 - 7; 2002 - 3; 2003 - 7.
The October 2004 statistics should be a wake-up call for all
pilots and mechanics. We all must work toward reversing these high
numbers as we enter the winter months and their challenges, like
icing conditions, marginal VFR, night flying, etc.
Take advantage of safety initiatives available to you. For EAA
homebuilders, be sure to take full advantage of the EAA Technical
Counselors and Flight Advisors programs.
Don't forget that the Safety Program managers at your local FAA
FSDO and your state DOT Department of Aeronautics/Aviation can
provide safety information to cover all aspects of flying and
maintenance on your aircraft. Consider inviting them to your local
EAA Chapter meetings for safety discussions.
(Special thanks to Dick Knapinski at EAA)
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