July 2007 Aircraft Accident Statistics

Hi Readers: The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) reported 114 total aircraft accidents/incidents for July 2007, 35 of which were fatal accidents, resulting in 347 fatalities - counting the Sao Paulo Airbus A320 in Brazil. Locations were: U.S. - 112, Mexico - 2, and one each for Brazil, Ireland, and Switzerland. The Brazil accident is still under investigation, with the help of the NTSB. There were 7 agriculture accidents, two Careless P-51 accidents, 2 runway incursions by the Airlines in New York and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. To add to the gruesome picture, two helicopters collided in Phoenix, Arizona, killing four in each helicopter, and a Part 135 accident near ketchican, Alaska, - a bad weather encounter, killing 5 tourists.

Yes, a record worse than June 2007. I don't have the flying hours for June, but I expect the GA accident record has inched upward a bit. There are reasons for these accidents that almost grab you by the arm - shoddy flying, inattention in flight, and inadequate flight planning - and this is without the investigations, and doesn't cover the runway incursions. We can and must do better! RS.