The Lemon IndexPlanes · Single-engine piston
Piper PA-18 Super Cub.
Every U.S. accident NTSB investigated, 2008 to 2025.
Photos: Ad Meskens You are free to use this picture for any purpose as long as you credi (Wikimedia Commons)
523accidents
6%were fatal
51deaths
2%aircraft destroyed
What happened. NTSB's defining event, share of accidents.
Loss of control on ground30%
Nose over/nose down11%
Loss of control in flight9%
Collision during takeoff/land5%
Loss of engine power (total)4%
Aerodynamic stall/spin3%
Pilot or plane? How often NTSB listed an aircraft problem among the causes.
14%the plane was part of the cause
engine, systems, structure or propeller
engine, systems, structure or propeller
86%people or weather only
pilot decisions, control, fuel planning
pilot decisions, control, fuel planning
Out of 388 accidents where NTSB recorded a cause. When the plane was a cause, it was most often the landing gear system.
When. Phase of flight.
Landing49%
Takeoff19%
Maneuvering10%
Enroute6%
Approach6%
Accidents per year.
200835
200932
201029
201140
201245
201323
201441
201530
201629
201714
201829
201933
202025
202125
202225
202325
202420
202523
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