There were fewer fatal general aviation accidents in 2017 and 2018, according to the latest figures from the Joseph T. Nall Report from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI).
The annual report shows a continuing downward trend with a total accident rate of 4.81 per 100,000 hours, and a fatal accident rate of 0.76 per 100,000 hours in 2017.
Although 2018 saw an increase in total accidents, the good news is that the overall total and fatal accident rates continued its downward trend, finishing with a total accident rate of 4.56 per 100,000 hours and a fatal accident rate of 0.74 per 100,000 hours.
The ASI was able to release two years worth of data thanks to a new platform that provides access to more current accident data in near real-time, according to officials.
Data is now updated on a rolling 30-day cycle.
“I am excited that this major effort has significantly accelerated the accident analysis process. This allows us to release the 29th and 30th Joseph T. Nall Reports, which provide a snapshot in time for 2017 and 2018 data, respectively,” said ASI Senior Vice President Richard McSpadden.
“In addition, the new interface allows anyone to select accident analysis graphs for multiple years, from as far back as 2008 to preliminary data trends for 2020,” he continued.
The NTSB takes approximately two years to issue its final findings for accidents.
“As we move into 2021, initial accident data rates will also begin populating for the year 2019,” McSpadden said.
Accidents in 2017
In 2017, non-commercial fixed-wing aircraft had 1,002 total accidents, of which 162 were fatal. With overall accidents trending downward, non-commercial fixed-wing showed a spike in fatal accidents (162) and the fatal accident rate (0.90).
About 70% of accidents were pilot-related, with mechanical representing approximately 18%.
Pilot-related accidents consisted of 709 total accidents, of which 128 were fatal.
Landing accidents accounted for the largest number (314), but thankfully suffered few fatal events (3), ASI officials noted.
However, loss of control (170) continued to dominate as the leading cause of landing accidents.
Takeoff and climb accidents (113) declined from the previous year’s spike. The bulk of accidents were loss of control (51).
Fuel management (53) fell sharply for the second year in a row, with systems operation accounting for the largest total (28) and fatal (3) number of accidents.
Maneuvering accidents declined in total (38) but rose in fatal (28) from the previous year.
Stall/loss of control and wires/structures/terrain both had 15 accidents, whereas stall/loss of control saw more fatal (12) than wires/structures/terrain (8) accidents.
Descent and approach accidents increased (44) from the previous year while fatal (11) remained flat.
Collisions (17) consisted of the majority of accidents with stalls/spins (5) having the highest fatal accidents.
Weather accidents and maneuvering accidents switched place from last year in terms of lethality, with weather accidents overtaking maneuvering accidents (76 and 73 percent, respectively). Weather accidents experienced a sharp increase in both total (42) and fatal (32) accidents). VFR into IMC dominated the cause category with 28 accidents and 22 were fatal (figure 1.7.2).
Mechanical saw a slight decrease (177) in total accidents and a slight decrease (13) in fatal accidents (figure 1.8.1). Powerplant issues (75) continued to lead, followed by gear and brakes (39), and fuel systems (39), which accounted for the majority of mechanical accidents.
Accidents in 2018
In 2018, non-commercial fixed-wing aircraft had 1,033 total accidents, of which 166 were fatal.
With overall accidents trending upward, the increase in flight activity tempered the accident rate (5.48), according to ASI officials.
There was a slight increase in fatal accidents (166), with the fatal accident rate (0.88) remaining relatively flat due to increased flight activity.
For the first time in several years, the percentage of pilot-related accidents fell below 70%.
“However, this trend is most likely superficial due to incomplete NTSB reports at the time this Nall Report was released,” officials said in the report.
Pilot-related accidents totaled 675, of which 89 were fatal.
Landing accidents still accounted for the largest number (322), but thankfully suffered few fatal accidents, ASI officials pointed out. Loss of control (177) continued to dominate as the leading cause of landing accidents.
The largest number of accidents (42) were loss of control, followed by stalled or settled on takeoff (31).
Fuel management (56) rose slightly from the previous year, with flight planning accounting for the largest total number of accidents (33).
Maneuvering accidents declined in both total (23) and fatal (11) from the previous year.
Wires/structures/terrain had 15 accidents, of which six were fatal.
Descent and approach accidents increased (58) — setting a 10-year high —while fatal accidents (18) spiked from the previous year marking a six-year high.
Collisions (21) and stalls/spins (20) tied for total accidents with stalls/spins leading in fatal accidents (9).
Weather accidents experienced a decline in both total (23) and fatal (21) accidents. VFR into IMC led the cause category with 14 accidents, of which 13 were fatal.
Mechanical rose slightly in total accidents (186) and had a small decrease in fatal accidents (11) from the previous year.
Powerplant issues (117) continued its lead, followed by gear and brakes (39), and fuel systems (16), which accounted for the majority of mechanical accidents.
To see the full reports from 2017 and 2018, go to AOPA.org.