The safety statistics for 2008 did not bring good news to most turbine operators. Part 91 operations by owner-pilots saw accidents and fatal accidents more than double. According to safety analyst Robert E. Breiling Associates, owner-flown business aircraft were involved in 29 accidents last year, of which 14 involved fatalities. That contrasts with 2007, when Breiling’s statistics show only 15 total accidents of which seven resulted in fatalities. The good news from Breiling’s most recent report concerns Part 135 turbine operations. Accidents in that segment totaled only 22 last year, compared with 30 for 2007. Meanwhile, jet operators in the Part 135 camp reduced their accident rate by half-with eight mishaps last year compared with 16 in 2007.
Accidents Double Last Year for Owner-Flown Turbine Fleet
