In light of recent aviation issues and catastrophic plane crashes across the United States, travelers are increasingly concerned about flying, whether on commercial or non-commercial aircraft. In just one week toward the end of January 2025, a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight collided near Washington D.C. Days later, a medical jet transporting a child patient crashed in Northeast Philadelphia. As the public grapples with the tragic news, many are left wondering how many plane crashes occur each year in the U.S. and whether it’s still safe to fly.
Below, read what the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and multiple outlets have reported regarding plane crashes and aviation issues this year.
How Many Plane Crashes Are There Per Year?
The number of plane crashes, accidents, and other issues varies per year. On average though, there have been about 250 near-midair collisions reported by any piloted aircraft over the last 20 years, CBS News reported. Over the past five years, there were around 385 of these crashes every year, which equates to more than one incident per day, according to the outlet.
As for actual plane crashes, there has reportedly been a decline in commercial and non-commercial aviation crashes around the U.S.
Aviation attorney and former U.S. Air Force navigator Jim Brauchle told Newsweek in January 2025 that “there is probably, maybe not every day, but probably on average, every other day, a plane crash somewhere in the United States.” He added those crashes involved non-commercial aircraft “almost 99 percent of the time.”
A plane has crashed in Philadelphia today with at least six confirmed dead.
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) February 1, 2025
How Many Plane Crashes Have There Been in 2025?
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, there have been 77 aviation accidents so far in 2025.
On February 10, Mötley Crüe vocalist Vince Neil‘s private plane collided with another aircraft. He was not on board, but the pilot of the plane was killed. Just two days later, a Navy fighter jet crashed into San Diego Bay near Shelter Island on February 12. Per Fox 5, authorities confirmed that the two pilots onboard were rescued.
On February 17, a Delta Airlines plane crash-landed at Toronto’s Pearson International. Fortunately, multiple outlets reported that passengers survived the crash. Just two days later, two small planes collided with one another in the air at Arizona’s Marana Regional Airport.
Did Trump Fire Air Traffic Controllers?
According to the Associated Press, air traffic control employees were initially offered buyouts from the president when he enacted changes to the federal workforce in January 2025. Air traffic controllers’ union reportedly recommended its members not to accept the buyout. Moreover, the Office for Personnel Management (OPM), claimed that controllers were not eligible for the widespread resignation plan nor were they subject to the potential hiring freeze across the federal workforce, per the AP.
According to the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union, “several hundred” workers received termination notices on February 14, with the number estimated to be close to 300. The firings at the FAA did not include air traffic controllers but appeared to primarily affect engineers and technicians. Many of those terminated were probationary employees, having been employed for less than a year and lacking job protection.
Injuries in Philadelphia Crash: How Many People Were Affected?
So far, the Medevac jet that plummeted from the sky and exploded in a fiery crash in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday, January 31, has claimed at least seven lives and injured 19 others.
The Learjet 55 crash not only injured people on the ground but also set homes and cars ablaze, with debris scattered widely from the massive explosion.
Injuries in DC Collision: How Many People Were Killed?
All 67 people aboard the American Airlines regional jet and the US Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided midair near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday, January 29 were presumed dead.
Recovery teams returned to the icy waters of the Potomac River on Friday, continuing their search for victims and additional evidence related to the deadliest U.S. air crash in more than two decades.
Injuries in Seattle Crash: Were There Any Injuries Reported?
On February 5, 2025, a Japan Airlines plane backed into the tail of a Delta Airlines aircraft while taxiing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. According to multiple reports, officials have confirmed no injuries. Although the incident occurred at the airport, it caused a temporary disruption to flights, according to the FAA’s website. Japan Airlines later issued a statement to USA Today, saying, “We sincerely apologize to all involved for any inconvenience. The detailed cause and circumstances are currently under investigation.”
Toronto Crash Landing
On February 17, a Delta Air Lines flight crash-landed inverted in Toronto. Miraculously, all 80 people on board, including crew members, survived the incident.
Arizona Midair Plane Collision
On February 19, 2025, two small planes collided in the air with one another in Arizona. One person was confirmed dead.