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% reduction in the fatal accident rate for U.S. fixed-wing piston aircraft flight training operations between 2000 and 2019.
This significant safety improvement is attributed to factors such as new technologies (e.g., angle of attack indicators, modern avionics), FAA policy changes, renewed emphasis on stall recovery, increased standardization, and improved risk management.
While in-flight loss of control, mid-air collisions, and controlled flight into terrain remain leading causes of lethality, the study suggests varying training altitudes (e.g., to 2,700 feet MSL) as a simple mitigation for 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.