Transportation fatalities in the U.S. decreased by almost 10% in 2008 from 2007, according to preliminary figures from the National Transportation Safety Board. This marks the third consecutive year of decreasing transportation fatalities.
However, deaths from aviation accidents increased slightly last year, from 550 to 572. Nearly 87% of those fatalities occurred in GA accidents (495), which was almost unchanged from the previous year (496).
As of July this year, there have been 837 GA accidents, including 159 that resulted in 279 fatalities, according to the latest NTSB data. That compares to 945 accidents for the same time period last year. Of those, 156 accidents resulted in 276 fatalities.
For more information: NTSB.gov/Aviation/Stats.htm
