The Most Common Causes of Aviation Accidents
In 2025, there were 1.32 accidents per million commercial flights, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Some of the most common causes of aviation accidents include the following.
Pilot or crew member error
Human errors are a leading cause of aviation accidents. A National Transportation Safety Board study into accidents resulting from mistakes by the pilot or crew members indicated some of the most common errors include:
- Communication errors such as an incorrect readback
- Navigation errors such as selecting the wrong radial or misreading charts
- Procedural errors like failing to make required callouts or not completing required checks
- Resource management failures including failure to monitor fuel status
- Situational errors like controlling the aircraft to the wrong parameters
- Systems operation errors including mishandling the engines or hydraulic brakes
- Monitoring errors
If a pilot makes a careless error, the pilot may be held accountable for resulting losses.
Mechanical failures
Mechanical failures are another very common cause of aviation accidents. This may include failures of the:
- Powerplant
- Propeller
- Induction and ignition systems
- Fuel system
- Environmental control systems
- Lubrication
- Electrical system
- Landing gear
The plane owner, operator, or maintenance professionals could be held responsible when this type of issue occurs. If the problem is caused by a defect with the aircraft or parts, the manufacturer could be held liable.
Air traffic control issues
Air traffic control issues are also a common cause of aviation accidents. Some common examples include:
- Communication failures: Examples include unclear instructions or a pilot’s failure to properly read back altitude, heading, or runway assignments. These errors could result in runway incursions or midair collisions.
- Controller error: Controllers working in high-stress environments may lapse in judgment, become distracted, or fail to concentrate. This could lead to mistakes like clearing two different aircraft to land at the same time on the same runway.
- Worker fatigue: Staffing shortages could leave air traffic controllers overworked and burned out. This can lead to delayed reaction times and cognitive impairment that increases the risk of errors.
- Problems with infrastructure: Outdated data lines, radar systems, or aging copper network wires could cause blind spots, regional outages, or other tech-related issues.
- Handoff failures: Poor handoffs or communication gaps between en-route or approach controllers and local tower controllers could create conflicting instructions and increase the accident risk in crowded airspace.
When an air traffic control issue causes an accident to occur, the government could be responsible if the air traffic controllers were employed by the state or local government. This could make claims more complicated as a result of sovereign immunity issues.
Weather conditions
Adverse weather could result in an accident occurring. Examples include:
- Low cloud ceilings or fog that cause reduced visibility, potentially leading to spatial disorientation or other problems that result in a crash.
- In-flight structural icing is one of the most serious weather-related threats: Loss of lift can occur as supercooled liquid water droplets freeze immediately when they contact the wing, tail, or other control surfaces, deforming the wing’s aerodynamic shape. Ice could also obstruct essential exterior sensors and cause the cockpit to receive false information about airspeed, resulting in stall accidents.
- Thunderstorms: Thunderstorms can cause severe turbulence, while lightning can cause electrical disruptions or temporarily blind the flight crew.
When these or other weather conditions cause harm, it may be possible to take legal action against a pilot or airline that decided to take off despite the adverse conditions.
Runway incursions
A runway incursion includes another aircraft, vehicle, or person in the area where the plane should be landing. Pilots, air traffic controllers, or vehicle operators could potentially be liable.
Slack Davis can help you determine who can be held liable for your accident in these or other situations. We will work with you to take legal action against those responsible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.