AOPA’S AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE RELEASES NIGHT FLYING ACCIDENT ANALYSIS REPORT

TheNight Flying Accident Analysis Report 2017–2021 offers a detailed analysis of accident causes and findings. It concludes with training and accident prevention recommendations for reducing night flying accidents, emphasizing continued routine training in night operations and seeking proficiency—not just currency.

The report notes four accident causes that make up the majority of all night flying accidents: loss of control in flight leads, followed by engine and propeller failure, fuel-related, and loss of control on the ground accidents.

“Night flying introduces challenges that are reflected in the data,” said Robert Geske, AOPA Air Safety Institute manager of aviation safety analysis. Geske continued, “More than one-quarter of fatal night flying accidents occurred because of spatial disorientation, a condition that can bring about loss of control in flight—the leading cause of all night flying accidents.

“During the report period, we saw 464 fixed-wing general aviation (GA) accidents with 150 ending in a fatality. Night accidents account for only 7 percent of all GA accidents. However, fatal night accidents account for 16 percent of fatal GA accidents, highlighting the risks associated with night operations,” Geske concluded.

View the report here.

View other accident analysis reports here.