Total business aviation accidents were down slightly in 2006, thanks mainly to a decrease of more than 17 percent in turboprop accidents, according to aviation safety analyst Robert E. Breiling Associates of Boca Raton, Fla. Total business aviation-related fatal accidents, on the other hand, were up in 2006 with 19.
The number of business jet accidents increased slightly last year to 28 total accidents, compared with 24 in the same period the previous year. Fatal accidents also increased, from three to five, through fatalities were down from 12 to 10. The fractionals maintained their superb safety record in 2006 and experienced two accidents, neither of which was fatal.
Turboprop operators generally had a safer year in 2006 than in 2005, logging seven fewer accidents last year. Fatal accidents were up only two, from 11 in 2005 to 13 last year.
Fatalities totalled 31, in 2006, down from 33 the previous year. Part 135 turboprop operators had another year of major improvement in 2006, the largest of any jet or turboprop sector. Their total number of accidents fell to 10, a decrease of 41 percent.
Excluding the five manufacturer flight test and two public aircraft accidents, only the coprorate turboprop sector suffered from an increased total accident rate. Fatal accidents, however, were up almost across the board, according to Breiling’s figures. The exception to this was privately flown aircraft, both jets and turboprops–good news for a sector with historically higher fatal accident numbers.
U.S.-registered Business Jet and turboprop accidents (2005 vs 2005) Chart
