Aviation Safety
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Plane crashes are surprisingly common, especially small General Aviation aircraft vs. larger commercial operators. In 2018, the fatal accident rate rose above 1 per 100,000 flight hours, which is an increase of approximately 13% from previous years.
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According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there are around three small plane crashes in the U.S. per day. |
Small Planes, Flight Schools, and Safety
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General Aviation airports are generally located in populated areas, which makes them attractive to locals who want to learn how to fly, as larger airports cannot necessarily handle the infrastructure for commercial and general aviation. However, this presents a risk for people nearby who live within a small radius of a training school flight near the airport (these training flights are generally one hour in duration, so the assumption is within a half-hour flight time radius of the airport in question).
Per the State of Minnesota DOT, Airport Compatibility Manual:
The greatest risk of an aviation-related accident is during takeoff and landing within a few miles of an airport, particularly in areas closest to the ends of the runway and the runway centerline extended. |
This is not an abstract question. Innocent bystanders have been killed by small GA planes that fly over their neighborhoods. In March of 2021, a small plane in Orlando crashed after takeoff into a SUV driving through a residential neighborhood near the airport. The passengers of the plane were killed, as was a 4 year old boy riding in the SUV. The cause has not yet been determined, but is suspected to have been engine related (at least 3 of the incidents that have occurred in the front range area so far in 2021 have involved unspecified engine issues). Planes frequently crash into houses, cars, and other structures. San Bernardino in 2019, Nevada in 2006, Virginia in 2020, and Maryland in 2014. Some of these crashes resulted in injuries or deaths for those unfortunate to be inside the homes at the time of the crash.
In 2021 alone, planes have crashed into houses in Logan, Utah; Monterey, California; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Lyon Township, Michigan; Columbia, South Carolina; Leicester, Massachusetts; Worthington, Ohio; and surely the list will continue to grow. What almost all of these crashes have in common is that they are located in close proximity (~3 miles) to a general aviation airport. |
FAA Safety and Oversight
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According to a report released in 2020 by the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, there are structural issues regarding the FAA and their enforcement of existing rules and regulations, not just in General Aviation but throughout the industry as a whole. Some of the highlights from the report are shown below.
"This report details a number of significant lapses in aviation safety oversight and failed leadership in the FAA. The committee is in receipt of many more examples and continues to receive new information from new whistleblowers regularly. Some of the most significant findings include: |
One only has to look at the Aviation Safety Reporting System reports in order to verify some of these issues. This is a site that encourages self-reporting of potential safety issues without fear of repercussion. According to the site, "The ASRS database is the world's largest repository of voluntary, confidential safety information provided by aviation's frontline personnel, including pilots, controllers, mechanics, flight attendants, and dispatchers. The database provides a foundation for specific products and subsequent research addressing a variety of aviation safety issues.
ASRS's database includes the narratives submitted by reporters (after they have been sanitized for identifying details). These narratives provide an exceptionally rich source of information for policy development, human factors research, education, training, and more. The database also contains coded information by expert analysts from the original report which is used for data retrieval and analyses." A recent review of reports from Colorado reveals some troubling trends. Congested airspace, conflicts with training traffic, and understaffed control towers are common themes. "Upon returning to BJC, I spoke with many instructors from different flight schools in the area and it seems like the traffic pattern at LMO has become increasingly dangerous. Many instructors have had near misses with other pilots not making calls or entering the pattern however they wish." ""Aircraft Y was flying through established practice areas at 7,500 feet, flying various heading changes affecting other aircraft in the area. we adjusted course to avoid the traffic accordingly and the aircraft then turned around to a heading that would lead to a converging conflict. Our aircraft was to the right and proceeded with caution keeping an eye on the aircraft in case they made yet another heading change, they did not. we started to alter course to the right in order to maintain our general direction of flight but also resolve the converging conflict. The aircraft was not transmitting on the local frequency and not responding to radio queries. The aircraft never deviated course at any point. Had we not seen the aircraft and taken evasive action the conflict would not have been resolved." "Controller seemed to have no idea where we were, what we were doing, or what we were previously cleared to do. To have the FAA breathing down ZZZ's throat for recent mid-airs (both of which were pilot error and had nothing to do with ATC), and then to be directed into a near-collision on base by BJC Tower, is unacceptable, and tells me that the FAA doesn't care until something makes the news." |
Pilot Mental Health
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Commercial and private pilots face a complex and often discouraging landscape when it comes to seeking mental health treatment. The aviation industry is tightly regulated, particularly in matters of safety, and mental health is viewed through a lens of risk and liability. As a result, many pilots are reluctant to seek help, fearing it could jeopardize their careers.
At the heart of the issue is the requirement for pilots to maintain a medical certificate from aviation authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. These certificates are contingent on the pilot being deemed mentally and physically fit to fly. If a pilot discloses a mental health condition—especially one requiring medication or therapy—it can trigger a lengthy evaluation process, potential grounding, and, in some cases, the revocation of their medical clearance. Even temporary suspension of flying privileges can mean lost income, stalled careers, and long-term professional consequences. This fear leads to widespread underreporting. Many pilots suffer in |
silence, self-treat, or avoid treatment altogether to avoid detection. This silence is not without risk. Left untreated, mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can worsen, potentially impacting decision-making, cognitive function, and overall safety in the cockpit.
Recent efforts by aviation authorities and advocacy groups have begun to acknowledge this problem. Some programs are being developed to offer more confidential pathways to treatment and to modernize mental health assessments. However, stigma remains a powerful deterrent. Pilots worry not only about losing their licenses but also about being perceived as unstable by colleagues or employers. Ultimately, the challenge lies in balancing the legitimate safety concerns of the aviation industry with the evolving understanding of mental health. A cultural shift—supported by regulatory change, education, and confidential support systems—is needed to create an environment where pilots can prioritize their well-being without fear of professional ruin. |