Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Gordon Gilbert

Loss of control in flight (LOC-I) was cited as the “dominant causal” factor in the majority of general aviation (GA) accidents in the UK last year, according to the <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a9ff04a40f0b64d821c4005/AAIB_Annual_Safety_Review_2017_Hi_res.pdf">2017 Annual Safety Review</a> from the UK’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).&nbsp;There were 708 occurrence notifications in 2017 and AAIB deployed 38 times to conduct field investigations. In 16 cases, they involved fatal accidents that resulted in 28 deaths. The fatal accidents involved GA aircraft with the “dominant causal factors…being loss of control in flight and weather-related issues.”

 


The review analyzes 72 general aviation fatal accidents that occurred between 2010 and 2015 to “highlight the most common causes and draw attention to the extensive advice that is available to help pilots avoid the circumstances that all too often lead to accidents.” In sharp contrast to GA statistics, the AAIB reported that 2017 was “notable as a year in which there were no fatal accidents involving a passenger jet airliner anywhere in the world.”

 


Of the 29 safety recommendations issued in 2017, responses had been received for 21 by the end of last month. The AAIB considered 15 responses “adequate” and closed, five “partially adequate,” and one “not adequate.”

 


Following the assessment, 16 safety recommendations from 2017 were closed, while 11 remain open. The AAIB is awaiting responses from addressees for five of the open recommendations. Responses have recently been received for two recommendations and were pending AAIB classification.

 


The review does not break down GA accidents by engine type or purpose of flight. Also, air taxi business jets are not separated from the commercial air transport category. But, according to AIN research, there were no serious or fatal accidents involving business turboprops or jets in the UK last year.

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

UK Report: Loss of Control Is Main GA Accident Cause

The AAIB received 708 occurrence notifications in 2017 and deployed 38 times to conduct field investigations, 16 of which were fatal accidents.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

18 fatal turbine business aircraft accidents worldwide claimed 81 passengers and crewmembers

Bizjet Accident Fatalities Soar in First Half of 2025

Matt Thurber

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

The father of one of the pilots who died in the crash wants something positive to come from the tragedy

Tim Lilley: Fixing What Caused the DCA Midair Collision

David Jack Kenny

Preliminary and final accident reports, July 2025

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: July 2025

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

More In Accidents

Bizjet Accident Fatalities Soar in First Half of 2025

18 fatal turbine business aircraft accidents worldwide claimed 81 passengers and crewmembers

Tim Lilley: Fixing What Caused the DCA Midair Collision

The father of one of the pilots who died in the crash wants something positive to come from the tragedy

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: July 2025

Preliminary and final accident reports, July 2025

NTSB Faults Boeing Training in 2024 Max 9 Door Failure

FAA also faulted for failure to monitor Boeing’s SMS

Error in Speed, Distance Caused 2023 HondaJet Excursion

Pilot and passengers escaped without injuries

Spatial Disorientation Led to PC-12 In-flight Breakup

Risk assessment and oversight found insufficient

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: June 2025

Preliminary and final accident reports, June 2025

Music Agent Shapiro among Six Killed in Citation Crash

Sound Talent Group confirmed three employee fatalities

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN