Flight Training: Fatality Rates Are Improving

A new study shows an improved safety record has resulted from a wide range of industry changes.

Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 08:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

A joint study found a nearly 50-percent reduction in the fatal accident rate for flight training operations in the U.S. between 2000 and 2019.
Improvements are attributed to the adoption of new technologies (e.g., AOA indicators, modern avionics), changes in FAA policy, a renewed emphasis on stall recovery, and increased standardization and risk management.
While in-flight loss of control, mid-air collisions, and controlled flight into terrain remain the most lethal accident scenarios, a mitigation strategy suggests varying training altitudes to reduce mid-air collision risk.

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There’s good news on the safety of flight training operations, according to a study from the AOPA Air Safety Institute and Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics. The two recently released a report based on their study showing, in part, a nearly 50-percent reduction in the fatal accident rate for the 20 years beginning in 2000 and concluding with 2019.

The improvements some via “sustained efforts” throughout the flight-training industry, according to the executive summary, leading to a nearly 50-percent reduction in fatal accidents over the period.