Accidents
Recent Period Safest for Airlines in Modern History
Airline accident data shows safest three-month period in modern history.
Accident statistics showing total accidents (in red) and 10-year averages (blue) indicate a steady improvement in air transport safety over the last 65 years. (Graph courtesy of Aviation Safety Network)
Accident statistics showing total accidents (in red) and 10-year averages (blue) indicate a steady improvement in air transport safety over the last 65 years. (Graph courtesy of Aviation Safety Network)

The last three months of 2011 saw “the longest period without a fatal airliner accident in modern aviation history,” according to the Aviation Safety Network (ASN), an independent internet aviation safety information agency. As of January 1, the industry had gone 80 straight days without a fatal incident, said Harro Ranter, president of ASN, whose data relates to multi-engine commercial aircraft operations (including positioning and training flights).