Crew Recency Tops Flight Risk List in Nimbl Report

Crew recency and flight time are the most common business aviation flight risks, while inspection and task type top the maintenance risk list, according to a new report from Nimbl. The company analyzed more than 55,000 risk assessments submitted last year by operators using its safety management and procedures software. The report ranks the 10 most frequent flight and maintenance safety risks.

Recency-associated risk for crew occurs when pilots have insufficient total time or time in type to meet company minimums. Airports in mountainous terrain ranked as the second most common flight risk. Wind and operational duration were added as new entries to the flight risk rankings. Operational duration risk includes concerns about crew fatigue.

Regarding maintenance risks, injury hazards, such as working at height or on slippery surfaces without adequate protection, ranked second. New maintenance risks in the latest report include insufficient staffing and hazards from ground obstructions or moving vehicles.

Nimbl’s annual safety report last year analyzed actual incidents and accidents from 2024 and found that procedural failures and human factors were the biggest contributing elements. The company’s 2026 risks report analyzes proactive risk assessments submitted by operators in 2025 to identify potential hazards before incidents occurred. 

“When flight departments understand where they are vulnerable, they can implement targeted improvements to become better and safer,” said Nimbl CEO Mark Baier.