The Lemon Index
Photos: Sixflashphoto (Wikimedia Commons)
62accidents
2%were fatal
0deaths
0%aircraft destroyed
What happened. NTSB's defining event, share of accidents.
Turbulence encounter35%
Ground collision13%
Cabin safety event6%
Birdstrike5%
Miscellaneous/other3%
Tailstrike3%
Pilot or plane? How often NTSB listed an aircraft problem among the causes.
8%the plane was part of the cause
engine, systems, structure or propeller
engine, systems, structure or propeller
92%people or weather only
pilot decisions, control, fuel planning
pilot decisions, control, fuel planning
Out of 38 accidents where NTSB recorded a cause. When the plane was a cause, it was most often the equipment/furnishings.
When. Phase of flight.
Enroute42%
Landing16%
Taxi13%
Approach11%
Other8%
Accidents per year.
20085
20093
20107
20112
20123
20134
20147
20152
20163
20173
20181
20196
20201
20215
20222
20232
20242
20254
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