U.S.-registered business jets experienced a notable drop in nonfatal accidents in the first nine months versus the same time frame last year, according to preliminary figures compiled by AIN. The number of fatal accidents remained the same, but the number of fatalities fell slightly during the most recent nine-month period.
There were six nonfatal accidents involving N-numbered business jets in the first three quarters of this year, compared with 23 last year, the data shows. Both periods saw four fatal crashes, resulting in 13 deaths in the first nine months versus 17 in the corresponding time frame last year.
The U.S. turboprop fleet also had fewer nonfatal accidents in the first nine months of this year compared with the same period last year–21 versus 27–but there was a significant spike in the number of fatal accidents and fatalities. This year, 35 people perished in 11 crashes, compared with eight killed in three crashes last year.
Non-U.S.-registered business jets were involved in eight mishaps in January through September–two more than last year–including one fatal crash that resulted in two deaths, the same number recorded last year. Foreign-registered turboprops suffered 18 accidents in the first nine months, including 10 in which 38 people perished. This compares with 20 accidents, including 10 that killed 33 people, in the same period last year.