Fatality-free 2015 U.S. Bizjet Accident Streak Ends

On August 16, one of the longest streaks without a fatal accident among U.S.-registered business jets came to an end. On that day, a Rockwell Sabreliner and a Cessna 172 collided in airspace near San Diego, killing all four aboard the jet and the sole-occupant pilot in the Skyhawk. Until this event, the January through mid-August time frame of this year witnessed no fatal crashes involving N-numbered business jets.

Still, N-numbered business jets and turboprops incurred fewer accidents year-over-year. According to AIN research, the San Diego fatal accident that resulted in five deaths in the third quarter compares with the 15 people killed in four crashes in the first three quarters of last year. Nonfatal accidents also decreased from five in the first nine months of last year to four so far this year.

Three fatal U.S. turboprop mishaps during the third quarter killed nine people, compared with 20 deaths in eight accidents for the same period in 2014. Non-U.S.-registered business jets and turboprops also improved both their nonfatal and fatal accident records in the first nine months of this year versus the comparable period in 2014.