The numbers of fatalities in US-registered business jet accidents fell by more than 50% in 2015 compared to the previous year, with just 13 people perishing in two fatal accidents involving N-numbers jets compared with 30 deaths in six accidents in 2014, a new report from AIN has revealed.
According to the report, one of the two crashes last year was a midair between a Sabreliner flying under a military contract and a Cessna 172, which resulted in four fatalities. Meanwhile, the number of non-fatal mishaps last year increased threefold, rising from six in 2014 to 18 in 2015.
Non US-registered business jets were also involved in more non-fatal accidents last year compared with 2014, increasing from four to 11. While the number of fatal crashes remained at five, the number of fatalities fell from 19 in 2014 to 11 last year. One of those crashes last year was the first fatal accident of an Eclipse 500 very light jet.
Turboprops worldwide experienced more accidents and more fatalities last year than in 2014. According to preliminary data, 28 people died in 10 crashes of US-registered business turboprops last year compared with 24 deaths in nine crashes in 2014. Twelve crashes of non-US-registered turboprops last year resulted in 43 fatalities, compared with 35 deaths in eight accidents in 2014.
