In just two weeks, the world witnessed three fatal aviation accidents in the US, sparking global concern about the country’s flight safety standards. With a new administration in the White House, questions about what went wrong and what can be done to prevent further disasters are sure to be top of mind for both industry professionals and the public.

Recent events

On 29 January, a PSA Airlines CRJ-700 flight with 64 passengers collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter while approaching runway 33 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The crash tragically claimed the lives of all 67 people on board both aircraft.

The collision marked the end of nearly two decades of near-perfect commercial aviation safety in the US, with the last major commercial airline crash being the 2009 Colgan Air Flight 3407. Preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that a single air traffic controller was managing both the PSA Airlines flight and the Black Hawk helicopter at the time, a procedure considered unusual for the time of day at Reagan National Airport. Further investigation suggested that the Black Hawk may have been flying 100ft above its authorised altitude, raising additional concerns about air traffic control procedures.

Just two days later, a medical Learjet 55 crashed shortly after takeoff in Philadelphia, killing all six passengers, including a paediatric patient and her mother. One person on the ground also lost their life, and at least 22 others were injured. Early reports point to communication issues with air traffic control and possible mechanical failures as contributing factors. In addition, the crash site’s proximity to a densely populated area has sparked concerns about flight path management and emergency response protocols.

The following Thursday, another tragedy struck in Alaska when Bering Air Flight 445 crashed into sea ice southeast of Nome, killing all 10 passengers. Investigators are examining weather conditions, human error, maintenance issues, and the challenging flying conditions in Alaska. 

Is US aviation under pressure?

In 2023 the NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy told a US Senate panel that an increase in serious near-miss aviation incidents was a “clear warning sign that the US aviation system is sharply strained”.

Between January and November 2023, the NTSB opened seven investigations into near-miss incidents, including several with the potential for serious disaster. “We cannot ignore or avoid the warning signs of strain from all these recent events,” Homendy’s written testimony said. She called for “more technology for runway and cockpit alerting”, adding “we cannot wait until a fatal accident forces action”.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) database of near collisions includes more than 8,700 reports from airports around the US. Pilots report the incidents themselves, based on whether two or more aircraft were flying too close to one another (generally less than 500 feet), increasing the likelihood of collision.

Speaking to US broadcaster NPR, Mike McCormick, a former FAA Director of Terminal Safety and Operations, suggested there was likely to be “a confluence of factors” that had contributed to the Potomac River mid-air collision at Reagan National Airport. “I feel very confident that although the [NTSB] investigation is going to take some time, I know the FAA is already looking at this in a parallel investigation – to see if there’s anything they can do in the near term or immediately to mitigate the risk of an event like this,” said McCormick.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s database of near collisions includes more than 8,700 reports from airports around the country

Are plane crashes becoming more frequent?

According to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 2024 Safety Report, the industry delivered another year of strong overall performance on safety, including showing improvements on the five-year average for several key parameters, but it took a step back from an exceptional performance in 2023.

The report shows that the all-accident rate of 13 per million flights (one accident per 880,000 flights) was better than the five-year average of 1.25 but worse than the 1.09 recorded in 2023.There were seven fatal accidents in 2024, among 40.6 million flights. That is higher than the single fatal accident recorded in 2023 and the five-year average of five fatal accidents.

According to the report's data there were 244 on-board fatalities in 2024, compared to the 72 fatalities reported in 2023 and the five-year average of 144. Fatality risk remained low at 0.06, below the five-year average (0.10), although double the 0.03 reported in 2023.

While fatalities remain relatively low compared with other modes of transport, data from the IATA Incident Data eXchange (IDX) reveals a significant rise in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) interference, which can disrupt aircraft navigation systems. Although backup systems are in place to maintain aviation safety during such incidents, these disruptions still pose serious and unacceptable risks to civil aviation. 

GNSS interference, including signal disruptions, jamming, and spoofing, is most common in Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt. Between 2023 and 2024, reports of GNSS interference surged by 175%, with GPS spoofing incidents spiking by 500%. “The sharp rise in GNSS interference events is deeply concerning,” commented Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “Reliable navigation is fundamental to safe and efficient flight operations. Immediate steps by governments and air navigation service providers are needed to stop this practice, improve situational awareness, and ensure that airlines have the necessary tools to operate safely in all areas.”

Nevertheless, he explained, “even with recent high-profile aviation accidents, it is important to remember that accidents are extremely rare. There were 40.6 million flights in 2024 and seven fatal accidents. Moreover, the long-term story of aviation safety is one of continuous improvement. A decade ago, the five-year average (2011–15) was one accident for every 456,000 flights. Today, the five-year average (2020–24) is one accident for every 810,000 flights.”

Changes to US aviation safety standards

The global travel industry experienced significant growth in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels with a 10% increase compared with 2023 and a 13% rise from 2019. However, in a December article for US law firm Pillsbury, Charles Donley, Edward Sauer, and Laura Jennings Ochoa predicted that in his new term US President Donald Trump would reduce federal regulations across the board, including in airspace management. 

Reduction of aviation consumer protection regulations
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has the authority to prohibit “unfair and deceptive practices”, which has allowed it to implement various consumer protection regulations, the article said. However, during Trump’s first term, efforts were made to limit the DOT’s authority and roll back some of these protections, and the authors expect a similar trend in the second Trump administration. 

Privatisation of air traffic control
According to the Pillsbury authors, the FAA’s air traffic control (ATC) system has long been criticised as outdated, despite efforts to modernise it. During his first term, President Trump proposed privatising ATC, and it is possible that privatisation, or a move to make ATC a nonprofit entity separate from the FAA, could be revisited. 

New FAA action to ensure safety in airspace
At the end of January, the US DOT announced that the FAA would restrict helicopter traffic in the area over the Potomac River around Reagan National Airport, the site of the 29 January crash. 

The restriction exempts helicopters entering this airspace for lifesaving medical support, active law enforcement, active air defence, or presidential transport helicopter missions that must operate in this restricted area. Any helicopter operations outside these exemptions will be prohibited. These restrictions will remain in place until the NTSB completes its preliminary investigation of the air carrier incident, at which point it will be reviewed based on NTSB’s report.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy commented: “This is part of the US Department of Transportation’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding our nation’s skies and upholding the highest standards of air travel safety. We will continue to support President Trump’s directive to achieve uncompromised aviation safety. The American people deserve full confidence in our aviation system and today’s action is a significant step towards restoring that trust.” 

Safety of air travel needs focus

In conclusion, the recent spate of fatal aviation accidents in the US has raised significant concerns about the nation’s flight safety standards, prompting urgent questions about the state of aviation oversight and the potential for future disasters. While the global aviation industry has shown strong growth, incidents like the midair collision near Washington DC and the crashes in Philadelphia and Alaska highlight the need for enhanced safety measures and more proactive responses.

As the US government under President Trump considers potential rollbacks in regulations, particularly those aimed at consumer protection and air traffic control, efforts to address these safety challenges could be hindered. With growing issues such as GNSS interference and a slight uptick in fatal accidents, the aviation industry must continue to focus on improving safety, implementing new technologies, and adjusting to evolving threats.

The aviation sector’s long history of safety improvement should not be overlooked, but these recent tragedies serve as a stark reminder that vigilance and innovation are crucial in maintaining the safety of air travel. As investigations into these incidents unfold and policies shift, it will be essential for both regulators and industry leaders to work collaboratively in strengthening aviation standards and preventing further loss of life.