A Tale of Two Skies: The Surprising Safety of Commercial Flights vs. Private Flights

U.S. Civil Aviation Accident and Fatality Report: 2015–2024

The Chicago plane crash lawyers at The Kryder Law Group, LLC present this report to help you understand accident and fatality statistics for U.S. civil aviation for the ten-year period from 2015 through 2024, using data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). By reviewing these figures, you gain important insight into aviation safety across different types of flight operations. If you or a loved one has been affected by an aviation incident, our team is here to guide you through the complexities of the process and is committed to pursuing the compensation you deserve.

How Safe Is Commercial Air Travel?

While commercial airline accidents tend to receive extensive media coverage, it is actually small private aircraft—those operating under Part 91—that account for the vast majority of incidents and fatal accidents in aviation. These flights include a wide range of operations, such as private recreational flights, corporate jet travel, and flight training sessions. Despite their lower public profile, these types of flights involve unique challenges and risks, making them a significant focus of aviation safety efforts. Recognizing the prevalence and nature of Part 91 operations is essential for anyone seeking a clear understanding of aviation safety trends in the United States and an answer to the question about the safety of commercial aircraft travel.

Understanding Federal Aviation Regulations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies civil aviation operations under different parts of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). The three main categories covered in this report are Part 91, Part 121, and Part 135.

• Part 91: General Aviation
  This is the broadest category and governs most non-commercial and recreational flying. It includes private pilots flying small aircraft for personal reasons, corporate business jets, and instructional flights. The regulations for Part 91 are less restrictive than those for commercial operations.
• Part 121: Commercial Airlines
  This part governs scheduled commercial flights, commonly known as major commercial airlines. These operations are subject to the highest level of safety standards, including stringent requirements for aircraft maintenance, flight crew training, and operational procedures.
• Part 135: Commuter and On-Demand Charters
  This category covers a wide range of commercial operations that are not scheduled like major airlines. It includes air taxis, charter flights, air ambulance services, and some commuter flights. While still rigorous, the requirements for Part 135 operations are generally less strict than those for Part 121 carriers.

Accident Data Analysis (2015–2024)

Over the past decade, a total of 11,859 civil aviation accidents were recorded. The distribution of these accidents across the different operational categories is revealing.

Source: National Transportation Safety Board. “Census of US Civil Aviation Accidents.” Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Pages/Data_Stats.aspx

Key Insights:

• Part 91 Dominance: General aviation accounts for the vast majority of all aviation accidents, representing over 93% of the total. The annual number of Part 91 accidents remained relatively consistent, with a low of 1,011 in 2020 and a high of 1,196 in 2018.
• Commercial Safety: In contrast, Part 121 commercial airlines and Part 135 charters together account for less than 7% of all accidents. This highlights the robust safety protocols governing commercial air travel. As electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air taxi services that operate under Part 135 become more prevalent in major cities, there may be a shift in these numbers in the future.
• COVID-19 Impact: A notable dip in accidents occurred in 2020 for both Part 91 and Part 121 operations, likely corresponding with the reduced flight activity during the global pandemic. Part 121 accidents fell to just 14, a significant decrease from previous years.

Fatality Data Analysis (2015–2024)

A total of 3,447 fatalities occurred in civil aviation accidents during this 10-year period. The breakdown of these fatalities further underscores the safety differences between operational categories.

Key Insights:

• General Aviation Fatalities: Similar to the accident data, Part 91 operations account for the overwhelming majority of fatalities (93.18%). Given the small size of Part 91 aircraft vs. commercial carriers, which may carry hundreds of passengers at a time, this statistic is particularly striking. The data shows a general downward trend in Part 91 fatalities over the last three years of the period (2022-2024).
• Exceptional Commercial Airline Safety: The safety record for Part 121 commercial airlines is exceptional. Over ten years and across thousands of flights, there were only 3 fatalities recorded. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the strict safety measures in place for major airlines.
• Part 135 Risk Profile: While Part 135 operations have a strong safety record compared to general aviation, they account for a higher percentage of fatalities (6.73%) than they do accidents (3.75%). This suggests that when accidents do occur in this sector, they have a higher probability of being fatal.

What the Data Shows About Flight Safety

The data from 2015 to 2024 clearly shows that commercial air travel under Part 121 remains an incredibly safe mode of transportation. The overwhelming majority of aviation accidents and fatalities occur within the realm of Part 91 general aviation. Part 135 operations occupy a middle ground, with a safety record that is strong but faces unique challenges. While commercial aviation remains a safe form of transportation, there are plenty of examples where commercial aviation has failed. The recent Boeing disasters are clear examples of how companies have put profit over safety even in a highly regulated area.

Your Trusted Partner in Aviation Law

If you or a loved one has been affected by an aviation incident, understanding these distinctions is an important first step. Our firm can review the details of your case and help you determine the best path forward. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us for a consultation to discuss your situation.