21 groups ask NTSB to tell public GA is safe

The Sept. 23 letter, which was signed by AOPA, referenced data supplied by the NTSB to NBC Nightly News for a story regarding a recent aviation accident. According to the aviation groups, the information provided to NBC led to an inaccurate portrayal of GA safety. The groups also noted that U.S. Department of Transportation statistics show that from 2008 to 2014 there were 277,310 automobile accident fatalities; 38,343 fatalities on motorcycles; 5,561 on bicycles; 5,831 fatalities in recreational boating accidents; and 3,628 in general aviation accidents.

“General aviation is a safe form of transportation, and it’s getting safer all the time,” said Jim Coon, AOPA senior vice president of government affairs. “We continue to work with the FAA and others to make general aviation as safe as possible and we’ve made significant progress. No mode of transportation is immune from accidents, but it’s unfortunate that the NTSB continues to perpetuate the safety problem in general aviation when the fatalities on our nation’s roads are increasing not to mention that far more people are killed in bicycle accidents or by falling out of bed each year.”

The letter noted that, not only is general aviation a safe mode of transportation, but also that more people—5,159 between 2008 and 2014—die from falling out of bed than are killed in private and business flying.

In addition to AOPA, the letter was signed by the Aeronca Aviators Club, Aircraft Electronics Association, Bellanca-Champion Club, Cardinal Flyers Online LLC, Cessna Pilots Society, Commemorative Air Force, Experimental Aircraft Association, Flying Dentists Association, Flying Physicians Association, International Council of Air Shows, International 180/185 Club, Lancair Owners and Builders Organization, Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, Malibu/Mirage Owners & Pilots Association, Mooney Summit, National Agricultural Aviation Association, National Association of State Aviation Officials, National Business Aviation Association, Recreational Aviation Foundation, and Sonex Builders and Pilots Foundation.