The Lemon Index
Photos: Steve Lynes from Sandshurst, United Kingdom (Wikimedia Commons)
92accidents
21%were fatal
38deaths
11%aircraft destroyed
What happened. NTSB's defining event, share of accidents.
Loss of control in flight16%
Loss of control on ground11%
VFR go-around Loss of control in flight10%
Abnormal runway contact5%
Hard landing4%
Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail3%
Pilot or plane? How often NTSB listed an aircraft problem among the causes.
11%the plane was part of the cause
engine, systems, structure or propeller
engine, systems, structure or propeller
89%people or weather only
pilot decisions, control, fuel planning
pilot decisions, control, fuel planning
Out of 53 accidents where NTSB recorded a cause. When the plane was a cause, it was most often the engine fuel and control.
When. Phase of flight.
Landing41%
Approach22%
Enroute11%
Takeoff9%
Initial climb8%
Accidents per year.
20084
20093
20105
20117
20125
20135
20142
20152
20166
20175
20186
20194
20203
20215
20225
20236
202412
20257
More planes flying means more accidents, so counts aren't a safety score by themselves. Compare the shares above.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, U.S. accidents 2008–2025. ntsb.gov · Every plane
Updated