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Training & Safety Air Safety Institute Accident Analysis Joseph T. Nall Report Joseph T. Nall Report Figure View
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Calendar Year 2021 Accident Conditions

The AOPA Air Safety Institute releases the 32nd Joseph T. Nall Report which presents users with near real-time accident analysis updated on a rolling 30-day cycle. You can view data from 2008 to the current year. Please note that the NTSB takes approximately two years to issue a probable cause statement, so only preliminary data is available for later years.

Break data down by year:

Report Archive:

General Aviation Accident Trends 2012-2021
2021 Overall Summary

13941188117411771224120112211166105011242422032262211921911992141882024008001200160020002012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

General Aviation Accident Rates 2012-2021
2021 Overall Summary

5.755.225.084.914.974.804.814.864.694.281.000.890.980.920.780.760.780.890.840.772468102012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accident Rate (%)
Fatal Accident Rate (%)

Figure 1.1: General Aviation Accidents in 2021
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Number of accidents938
Number of aircraft944
Number of fatal accidents166
Lethality (%)17.7
Fatalities270

*Each aircraft involved in a collision is counted separately.

Figure 1.2: General Aviation Accident Trends 2012-2021
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

1154964966973104810011032987891938213167196195159162167180157166300600900120015002012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.3: General Aviation Accident Rates 2012-2021
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

6.55.825.865.65.735.535.475.615.274.871.21.011.191.120.870.90.891.020.930.862468102012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accident Rate (%)
Fatal Accident Rate (%)

Figure 1.4: General Aviation Accidents in 2021
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents
Pilot-Related 647 69% 103 62%
Mechanical 151 16.1% 12 7.2%
Other / Unknown 128 13.6% 46 27.7%
null 12 1.3% 5 3%

Figure 1.5: Aircraft class
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Unknown 1 100% 0 0% 0%
Single-engine fixed-gear 664 70.4% 85 50.9% 12.8%
SEF tailwheel 290 33 11.4%
Single-engine retractable 186 19.7% 52 31.1% 28%
Single-engine turbine 26 8 30.8%
Multiengine 64 6.8% 19 11.4% 29.7%
Multiengine turbine 8 3 37.5%
Unknown 29 3.1% 11 6.6% 37.9%

Figure 1.6: Type of operation
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Fatalities
null 3 0.3% 0 0% 0 0%
Aerial Application 1 0.1% 1 0.6% 1 0.4%
Fire Fighting 1 0.1% 1 0.6% 2 0.8%
Personal 715 76.2% 133 80.6% 211 81.2%
Instructional 161 17.2% 19 11.5% 27 10.4%
Public Use 5 0.5% 1 0.6% 1 0.4%
Positioning 11 1.2% 2 1.2% 5 1.9%
Aerial Observation 5 0.5% 3 1.8% 5 1.9%
Business 19 2% 2 1.2% 4 1.5%
Executive / Corporate 3 0.3% 0 0% 0 0%
Other work use 10 1.1% 2 1.2% 3 1.2%
Other or unknown 4 0.4% 1 0.6% 1 0.4%

Figure 1.7: Flight Conditions
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Fatalities
Day VMC 834 88.9% 114 3.6% 165 4.5%
Night VMC 53 5.7% 17 3.6% 26 4.5%
Day IMC 23 2.5% 18 3.6% 41 4.5%
Night IMC 13 1.4% 11 3.6% 22 4.5%
Unknown 15 1.6% 6 3.6% 12 4.5%

*Night fields include dusk.

Figure 1.8: Pilots involved
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
ATP 127 13.5% 17 10.2% 13.4%
Commercial 217 23% 28 16.8% 12.9%
Private 402 42.6% 57 34.1% 14.2%
Sport 14 1.5% 2 1.2% 14.3%
Student 63 6.7% 6 3.6% 9.5%
Other or unknown 120 12.7% 57 34.1% 47.5%
Other or unknown 1 100% 0 0% 0%
Second pilot on board 165 17.5% 30 18% 18.2%
CFI on board 233 24.7% 30 18% 12.9%
IFR pilot on board 469 49.7% 76 45.5% 16.2%

*CFI on board and IFR pilot on board include single-pilot flights.

Figure 1.9: Pilot-related Accident trend
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

86371472472176873579277169464716612414814611712812714612610320040060080010002012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.10: Pilot-related Accident Rates
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

4.864.314.394.154.24.064.24.384.13.360.930.750.90.840.640.710.670.830.750.532468102012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accident Rate (%)
Fatal Accident Rate (%)

Figure 1.11: Major types of accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

2901198170484330923187311724100200300400500

Landing

Take-off

Other

Fuel management

Maneuvering

Descent / approach

Weather

Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.1.1: Landing Accident Trend
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

34428128026033832533831530129073516325391002003004005002012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.1.2: Types of Landing Accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

14748222018139664111114080120160200

Loss of control

Airspeed -- stall

Gear operation

Runway conditions

Hard -- other

Airspeed -- long

Unknown

Airspeed -- short

Short -- other

Collided with object

Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.1.3: Aircraft involved in landing accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Single-engine fixed-gear 223 76.9% 3 33.3% 1.3%
SEF tailwheel 104 1 1%
Single-engine retractable 47 16.2% 5 55.6% 10.6%
Single-engine turbine 7 0 0%
Multiengine 15 5.2% 1 11.1% 6.7%
Unknown 5 1.7% 0 0% 0%

Figure 1.1.4: Flight conditions of landing accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Day VMC 280 96.6% 8 11.1% 2.9%
Night VMC 8 2.8% 1 11.1% 12.5%
Day IMC 1 0.3% 0 11.1% 0%
Night IMC 1 0.3% 0 11.1% 0%

*Night fields include dusk

Figure 1.1.5: Pilots involved in landing accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
ATP 42 14.5% 0 0% 0%
Commercial 58 20% 0 0% 0%
Private 141 48.6% 5 55.6% 3.5%
Sport 7 2.4% 0 0% 0%
Student 33 11.4% 0 0% 0%
Other or unknown 9 3.1% 4 44.4% 44.4%
Second pilot on board 47 16.2% 3 33.3% 6.4%
CFI on board 64 22.1% 1 11.1% 1.6%
IFR pilot on board 134 46.2% 3 33.3% 2.2%

*'CFI on board' and 'IFR pilot on board' include single-pilot flights.

Figure 1.2.1: 'Other' and unclassified accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Other (power loss) 47 2 4.3%
Other 40 16 40%
Take-off 9 7 77.8%
Maneuvering 7 7 100%
Weather 7 5 71.4%
Fuel management 5 1 20%
Landing 4 4 100%
Taxi 4 0 0%
Descent / approach 2 2 100%
Collision 2 1 50%
Cruise 1 1 100%

Figure 1.3.1: Takeoff and climb accident trend
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

145119116109124122135133140119189271924212821242340801201602002012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.3.2: Types of takeoff and climb accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

4330111087733134211020304050

Loss of control

Stalled or settled on take-off

Collided with object

Delayed abort

Weight / density altitude

Aircraft configuration

Runway conditions

Unknown

Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.3.3: Aircraft involved in takeoff and climb accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Single-engine fixed-gear 87 73.1% 13 56.5% 14.9%
SEF tailwheel 45 7 15.6%
Single-engine retractable 24 20.2% 7 30.4% 29.2%
Single-engine turbine 1 0 0%
Multiengine 5 4.2% 1 4.3% 20%
Unknown 3 2.5% 2 8.7% 66.7%

Figure 1.3.4: Flight conditions of takeoff and climb accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Day VMC 114 95.8% 21 8.7% 18.4%
Night VMC 5 4.2% 2 8.7% 40%

*Night fields include dusk

Figure 1.3.5: Pilots involved in takeoff and climb accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
ATP 14 11.8% 1 4.3% 7.1%
Commercial 27 22.7% 3 13% 11.1%
Private 59 49.6% 12 52.2% 20.3%
Sport 1 0.8% 0 0% 0%
Student 4 3.4% 0 0% 0%
Other or unknown 14 11.8% 7 30.4% 50%
Second pilot on board 20 16.8% 5 21.7% 25%
CFI on board 27 22.7% 3 13% 11.1%
IFR pilot on board 64 53.8% 11 47.8% 17.2%

*'CFI on board' and 'IFR pilot on board' include single-pilot flights.

Figure 1.4.1: Fuel management accident trend
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

79697781695773746970101071476910107204060801002012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.4.2: Types of fuel management accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

40291521020304050

Systems operation

Flight planning

Contamination

Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.4.3: Aircraft involved in fuel management accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Single-engine fixed-gear 47 67.1% 3 42.9% 6.4%
SEF tailwheel 16 2 12.5%
Single-engine retractable 14 20% 4 57.1% 28.6%
Single-engine turbine 4 2 50%
Multiengine 9 12.9% 0 0% 0%
Multiengine turbine 1 0 0%

Figure 1.4.4: Flight conditions of fuel management accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Day VMC 64 91.4% 6 14.3% 9.4%
Night VMC 5 7.1% 1 14.3% 20%
Day IMC 1 1.4% 0 14.3% 0%

*Night fields include dusk

Figure 1.4.5: Pilots involved in fuel management accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
ATP 8 11.4% 0 0% 0%
Commercial 15 21.4% 2 28.6% 13.3%
Private 37 52.9% 3 42.9% 8.1%
Student 6 8.6% 1 14.3% 16.7%
Other or unknown 4 5.7% 1 14.3% 25%
Second pilot on board 14 20% 3 42.9% 21.4%
CFI on board 18 25.7% 2 28.6% 11.1%
IFR pilot on board 38 54.3% 5 71.4% 13.2%

*'CFI on board' and 'IFR pilot on board' include single-pilot flights.

Figure 1.5.1: Maneuvering accident trend
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

5446544344384049464831252932252821292231204060801002012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.5.2: Types of maneuvering accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

23155318742612182430

Stall / LOC

Wires / structures / terrain

Aerobatics

Unknown

Mountains / canyons

Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.5.3: Aircraft involved in maneuvering accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Single-engine fixed-gear 33 68.8% 18 58.1% 54.5%
SEF tailwheel 15 8 53.3%
Single-engine retractable 9 18.8% 8 25.8% 88.9%
Single-engine turbine 1 0 0%
Multiengine 3 6.3% 3 9.7% 100%
Multiengine turbine 1 1 100%
Unknown 3 6.3% 2 6.5% 66.7%

Figure 1.5.4: Flight conditions of maneuvering accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Day VMC 43 89.6% 28 3.2% 65.1%
Night VMC 4 8.3% 2 3.2% 50%
Unknown 1 2.1% 1 3.2% 100%

*Night fields include dusk

Figure 1.5.5: Pilots involved in maneuvering accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
ATP 9 18.8% 6 19.4% 66.7%
Commercial 11 22.9% 8 25.8% 72.7%
Private 14 29.2% 5 16.1% 35.7%
Sport 3 6.3% 2 6.5% 66.7%
Other or unknown 11 22.9% 10 32.3% 90.9%
Second pilot on board 8 16.7% 6 19.4% 75%
CFI on board 12 25% 8 25.8% 66.7%
IFR pilot on board 21 43.8% 15 48.4% 71.4%

*'CFI on board' and 'IFR pilot on board' include single-pilot flights.

Figure 1.6.1: Descent and approach accident trend
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

5233464440476838504324151415111125152717204060801002012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.6.2: Types of descent and approach accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

161455385448121620

Collisions

Stalls / spins

Deficient IAPs

Gusts / wake turbulence

Loss of power

Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.6.3: Aircraft involved in descent and approach accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Single-engine fixed-gear 29 67.4% 7 41.2% 24.1%
SEF tailwheel 17 4 23.5%
Single-engine retractable 10 23.3% 7 41.2% 70%
Single-engine turbine 1 1 100%
Multiengine 3 7% 3 17.6% 100%
Unknown 1 2.3% 0 0% 0%

Figure 1.6.4: Flight conditions of descent and approach accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Day VMC 31 72.1% 7 11.8% 22.6%
Night VMC 3 7% 2 11.8% 66.7%
Day IMC 6 14% 5 11.8% 83.3%
Night IMC 3 7% 3 11.8% 100%

*Night fields include dusk

Figure 1.6.5: Pilots involved in descent and approach accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
ATP 5 11.6% 3 17.6% 60%
Commercial 10 23.3% 2 11.8% 20%
Private 25 58.1% 9 52.9% 36%
Other or unknown 3 7% 3 17.6% 100%
Second pilot on board 13 30.2% 5 29.4% 38.5%
CFI on board 11 25.6% 3 17.6% 27.3%
IFR pilot on board 24 55.8% 11 64.7% 45.8%

*'CFI on board' and 'IFR pilot on board' include single-pilot flights.

Figure 1.7.1: Weather accident trend
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

5041364024423244243037302830133227391924204060801002012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.7.2: Types of weather accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

1242211723148121620

VFR into IMC

Poor IFR technique

Turbulence

Icing

Unknown

Thunderstorm

Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.7.3: Aircraft involved in weather accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Single-engine fixed-gear 15 50% 9 37.5% 60%
SEF tailwheel 2 1 50%
Single-engine retractable 12 40% 12 50% 100%
Single-engine turbine 2 2 100%
Multiengine 3 10% 3 12.5% 100%
Multiengine turbine 1 1 100%

Figure 1.7.4: Flight conditions of weather accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
Day VMC 5 16.7% 3 4.2% 60%
Night VMC 2 6.7% 0 4.2% 0%
Day IMC 14 46.7% 13 4.2% 92.9%
Night IMC 7 23.3% 7 4.2% 100%
Unknown 2 6.7% 1 4.2% 50%

*Night fields include dusk

Figure 1.7.5: Pilots involved in weather accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

Accidents Fatal Accidents Lethality
ATP 2 6.7% 1 4.2% 50%
Commercial 5 16.7% 4 16.7% 80%
Private 14 46.7% 11 45.8% 78.6%
Student 3 10% 3 12.5% 100%
Other or unknown 6 20% 5 20.8% 83.3%
Second pilot on board 2 6.7% 2 8.3% 100%
CFI on board 3 10% 2 8.3% 66.7%
IFR pilot on board 13 43.3% 11 45.8% 84.6%

*'CFI on board' and 'IFR pilot on board' include single-pilot flights.

Figure 1.8.1: Mechanical accident trend
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing

1561321281411701561451321401511112161716141215171240801201602002012201320142015201620172018201920202021
Total Accidents
Fatal Accidents

Figure 1.8.2: Types of mechanical accidents
2021 Non-commercial fixed-wing