According to just-released statistics from the National Transportation Safety Board, there was a slight drop in general aviation fatalities in 2011.
The total number of deaths in aviation increased from 476 to 494 in 2011, with about 90% involving fatalities in general aviation, according to NTSB officials. Although general aviation fatalities account for the majority (444) within aviation for 2011, this number decreased by 10 from the previous year. In 2011, air taxi fatalities rose from 17 in 2010 to 41.
Transportation fatalities in all categories declined in 2011 by approximately 2%, according to the preliminary figures. The data indicate that overall transportation fatalities decreased from 35,043 in 2010 to 34,434 in 2011. There were no airline fatalities in 2011.
“Transportation accidents remain one of the nation’s leading causes of death,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “We can do better, which is why the NTSB shines a light on key safety issues each year through the Most Wanted List of transportation safety improvements.”
General aviation safety figures prominently on the Most Wanted List.
