US Aircraft Accident Rates 2004-2023

This data comes from the NTSB. The flight hours are estimated and compiled by the FAA, who categorize flight activities into three categories for tracking accidents per 100,000 flight hours.

The colored bars show total accidents and the portion which are fatal (black pattern). The portion of fatal accidents on major airlines is so small it barely shows on the chart. For the years 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2023, it is zero.

The aircraft and flight operation categories are named from sections (or “parts”) of the FAR, the FAA’s code of Federal Aviation Regulations. 

— “Part 91”, otherwise known as “General Aviation” is mostly small propeller aircraft—Cessnas, for example. It encompasses private flying; hobbyists; students; non-commercial operations as well as police helicopters. 

—“Part 135”, labeled “On-Demand Operations/Helicopters” generally means on-demand (chartered) aircraft with 30 seats or less; air taxi services; air tours; business/corporate jets; medical services when a patient or medical personnel are on board; and commercial helicopters.

—“Part 121” is labeled “Scheduled and Nonscheduled Service." It is the major and regional airlines offering scheduled, ticketed service. If an airline operates flights regularly between two destinations and sells the tickets, then it is “Part 121.” This category also includes cargo jets. Two pilots are mandatory on these flights and they are subject to the strictest regulations for maintenance, operations and crew training.

NOTES:

For unknown reasons, total flight hours are not available for year 2011 in General Aviation and Part 135 categories so the rate cannot be calculated.

For the year 2023 in General Aviation, the total number of accidents includes 34 US registered aircraft accidents that occurred outside the United States, its territories, or its possessions.