Aviation and Plane Crash Statistics
According to the National Safety Council, the lifetime odds of dying as a commercial aircraft passenger in the U.S. are “too small to calculate.” Flying commercially is statistically much safer than commuting by car. While car accidents are far more common, however, plane crashes do happen. And when they occur, the results can be absolutely catastrophic.
Here are some important statistics on plane crashes that you need to know.
How Many Plane Crashes Are There Each Year?
According to the Aviation Safety Network, there were over 5,000 documented plane accidents in 2024. These incidents resulted in 1,571 fatalities. Most of the accidents involved personally owned aircraft, private aviation companies, or military aircraft. Commercial airlines were involved in very few incidents.
Additionally, not all of these documented incidents were crashes. The statistics include any aviation incidents that cause injury or death. Therefore, the figures provided by the Aviation Safety Network include issues that arise during takeoff and landing, even if the plane is on the ground.
Accidents during landing or takeoff aren’t always fatal. However, they can still cause serious personal injuries to passengers and crew members. The good news is that the chances of dying in a commercial crash are extremely low.
What Percentage of Planes Crash?
The odds of a commercial airplane crashing are approximately 0.000001%. You have a 1 in 816,545,929 chance of being killed in a plane crash. To put it into perspective, you have a better chance of winning a Powerball jackpot.
How Often Do Commercial Planes Crash?
Commercial plane accidents are very rare. The last commercial plane crash in the United States occurred in 2009. The incident involved Continental Flight 3407, which crashed into a house in upstate New York. One person on the ground and 49 passengers lost their lives.
Investigators attributed the cause of the accident to a lack of training and pilot fatigue. As a result of this investigation, aviation officials implemented some major policy changes, including mandatory rest periods.
For roughly 15 years, commercial plane crashes have remained incredibly rare worldwide. However, 2024 was the deadliest year in air travel since 2018. That year, there were at least 318 fatalities from commercial plane crashes around the world. Over half of those fatalities occurred in a single crash. The incident happened in South Korea and claimed 179 victims.
What Percentage of Aviation Accidents Are Caused By Human Error?
Unsurprisingly, most airplane accidents can be attributed to human error. NASA reports that 70% of aviation accidents involve human error. These mistakes can take place during the operation of the aircraft or during essential maintenance tasks.
Flying is very stressful, and people sometimes make mistakes. The good news is that commercial airlines have several layers of redundancy in place. Even when someone makes a mistake, this system can often prevent a major incident.
Is It Still Safe To Fly?
The above plane crash statistics reinforce the idea that flying remains one of the safest ways to travel. However, recent safety issues among major airlines and aircraft manufacturers have made some question whether they should limit how often they fly.
Generally speaking, flying commercial is extremely safe. However, it’s important that you thoroughly research the airline you choose, especially if you are chartering a plane or being transported in a smaller craft. A little diligence will go a long way in promoting safety when traveling by air.
Contact the Jacksonville Aviation Accident Law Firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra aviation accident law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and its surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W Forsyth St Suite 1000,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167