Deaths up in 2025Updated 4 October 2026
Trend summary
- Flying on a UK airline is about as safe as transport gets. The risk sits in small aircraft, helicopters and private flying.
- There has been no fatal accident for passengers on a UK scheduled airline in over 35 years, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.
- The Air Accidents Investigation Branch opened 12 fatal accident investigations in 2025, with 18 deaths, up from 10 accidents and 11 deaths in 2024.
- The only fatal commercial accident of 2025 was the Beech King Air crash at London Southend Airport, which killed all four people on board.
12fatal accidents investigated by AAIB, 2025 (18 deaths)
0fatal accidents on UK scheduled airlines, 2025
13general aviation deaths, 2025 (10-year average 11)
94laser attacks on emergency helicopters, 2025
What the numbers show
The AAIB annual safety review counts 783 occurrence notifications in 2025 and 12 fatal accidents. A decade earlier, in 2016, it recorded 14 fatal accidents and the same number of deaths, 18, so the long-run picture is broadly flat.
The CAA’s 2025 review found 10 fatal general aviation accidents killing 13 people, against 8 and 9 in 2024. The general aviation accident rate fell to 24 per 100,000 hours flown. Drone accidents and serious incidents fell 35% to 39.
What is driving it
Most serious general aviation occurrences come back to two familiar causes, the CAA says: pilot performance, such as poor flight preparation or handling during landing, and technical failures such as engine problems. For drones, loss of control in flight is the leading cause. Offshore helicopters became much safer after the CAA’s 2014 review (CAP 1145) following five North Sea accidents between 2009 and 2013. Laser attacks remain a persistent hazard: 94 on emergency helicopters in 2025.
Recent cases
- 8 September 2026: a NATS software fault disrupts UK air traffic control, affecting more than 2,000 flights; the CAA sets out an independent review on 25 September (CAA).
- 7 May 2026: an EC145 helicopter ditches in Loch Torridon in the Highlands; the AAIB sends a team (AAIB).
- 13 July 2025: a Beech B200 King Air crashes shortly after take-off at London Southend Airport, killing all four occupants; the investigation continues (AAIB).
Press releases and official reports, 2023–2026
Five key releases a year for the last four years, newest first. Most come from UK government departments, regulators, accident investigators and national statistics; a few news reports are included where they are the clearest public record of an event. Releases from 2007–2022 are in the expandable list after 2023.
2026
- 25 Sep 2026CAAUK aviation regulator announces scope of independent review into NATS technical incident on 8 September 2026
- 10 Sep 2026CAADangerous laser attacks on air ambulance helicopters must stop say regulator and charity
- 13 Jul 2026AAIBAnniversary Statement: Beech B200 Super King Air, PH-ZAZ
- 4 Jun 2026AAIBAAIB publishes Annual Safety Review 2025
- 8 May 2026AAIBThe AAIB has dispatched a team to Torridon, Highland
2025
- 29 Dec 2025CAARegulator calls on new and existing drone users to learn new rules before taking off
- 25 Aug 2025AAIBThe AAIB has sent a team to the Isle of Wight
- 14 Jul 2025AAIBThe AAIB has sent a team of inspectors to Southend, Essex
- 12 Jul 2025AAIBAAIB Update: Preliminary report into Air India flight AI171
- 12 Jun 2025AAIBAAIB publishes Annual Safety Review 2024
2024
- 23 Dec 2024AAIBThe AAIB has sent a team to an accident near Fife Airport
- 5 Dec 2024AAIBAAIB Report: Boeing 737-8K5, G-FDZS, 4 March 2024
- 21 Nov 2024AAIBAAIB Report: Boeing 737-8200, EI-HET, 4 December 2023
- 28 Aug 2024CAARegulator mandates carbon monoxide detectors in piston engine aircraft
- 28 Mar 2024AAIBAAIB publishes Annual Safety Review 2023
2023
- 3 Nov 2023AAIBAAIB Special Bulletin: Airbus A321-253NX (G-OATW), Damage to several cabin windows, London Stansted Airport
- 2 Nov 2023AAIBAAIB Formal Report: Sikorsky S-92A (G-MCGY), Fatal accident, 4 March 2022
- 6 Sep 2023AAIBAAIB Formal Report: Leonardo AW169 (G-VSKP), fatal accident at King Power Stadium, Leicester, on 27 October 2018
- 8 Aug 2023CAAUK Civil Aviation Authority publish The Paramotor Code
- 27 Apr 2023AAIBAnnual Safety Review 2022
View 20 years of major UK aviation safety press releases (2007–2026)80 more from 2007–2022, five a year, newest first
2022
- 16 Dec 2022CAAJoint Statement from CAA/DfT on the Development of a National Standard for Electronic Conspicuity
- 17 Nov 2022AAIBAAIB Report: Piper PA-28R-200-2 (G-EGVA), Disappeared from radar over the English Channel
- 2 Nov 2022AAIBAccident involving a helicopter near Ruthin, North Wales, 1 November 2022
- 27 Oct 2022AAIBAW169 helicopter, G-VSKP: Anniversary statement
- 19 May 2022AAIBAAIB Report: Boeing 737-4Q8 (G-JMCY), heavy landing resulting in significant structural damage, Exeter Airport
2021
- 14 Dec 2021AAIBAAIB Special Bulletin: Escapade light aircraft (G-CGNV), fatal accident
- 2 Dec 2021AAIBAAIB Special Bulletin: Boeing 737-800 (G-FDZF), Deviation from expected flightpath during a go-around Aberdeen Airport
- 29 Jul 2021AAIBAir Accidents Investigation Branch appointed as Space Accident Investigation Authority for the United Kingdom
- 24 Jun 2021AAIBAnnual Safety Review 2020
- 4 May 2021AAIBAAIB Formal Report: G-POWN, Engine malfunction after takeoff from London Gatwick Airport
2020
- 13 Nov 2020AAIBGyrocopter accident near Avoch, Scotland – 12 November 2020
- 6 Jul 2020AAIBAAIB Publishes 2019 Annual Safety Review
- 21 Apr 2020AAIBAAIB Special Bulletin: Biocide treatment of aircraft fuel
- 13 Mar 2020AAIBAAIB Report: Piper PA-46-310P Malibu, N264DB, 21st January 2019
- 27 Jan 2020DfTNew powers for the police to enforce drone laws
2019
- 19 Dec 2019AAIBSupplement: Hawker Hunter T7 accident near Shoreham Airport
- 23 Oct 2019DfTNew laws to combat illegal use of unmanned aircraft and modernise airspace
- 14 Aug 2019AAIBAAIB Special Bulletin S2/2019 published: 14 August 2019
- 13 Mar 2019DfTNew extended drone no-fly zone in place from today
- 7 Jan 2019DfTNew police powers to tackle illegal use of drones
2018
- 21 Nov 2018AAIBAircraft Accident Report AAR 2/2018 – C-FWGH, 21 July 2017
- 27 Oct 2018AAIBThe AAIB is sending a team to Leicester
- 30 May 2018DfTNew drone laws bring added protection for passengers
- 22 Mar 2018AAIBAircraft Accident Report AAR 1/2018 – G-WNSR, 28 December 2016
- 14 Mar 2018AAIBAnnual Safety Review 2017 published
2017
- 26 Nov 2017DfTNew powers for police to address illegal and unsafe use of drones
- 17 Nov 2017AAIBThe AAIB is sending a team to Buckinghamshire
- 22 Jul 2017DfTDrones to be registered and users to sit safety tests under new government rules
- 22 Jun 2017AAIBAnnual Safety Review 2016 published
- 3 Mar 2017AAIBAircraft Accident Report AAR 1/2017 – G-BXFI, 22 August 2015
2016
- 21 Dec 2016DfTNew proposed measures for drones in the UK
- 10 Nov 2016AAIBAnnual Safety Review 2015 Published
- 28 Sep 2016AAIBShoreham High Court Judgment
- 6 Sep 2016AAIBAircraft Accident Report AAR 2/2016 – G-LGNO, 15 December 2014
- 22 Aug 2016AAIBShoreham air display accident investigation
2015
- 23 Oct 2015AAIBAircraft Accident Report AAR 3/2015 – G-SPAO, 29 November 2013
- 4 Sep 2015AAIBAAIB Special Bulletin on Hawker Hunter T7, G-BXFI
- 22 Aug 2015AAIBThe AAIB has deployed a team to Shoreham
- 19 Aug 2015AAIBAircraft Accident Report 2/2015
- 14 Jul 2015AAIBAircraft Accident Report 1/2015
2014
- 28 Nov 2014AAIBInvestigation update: EC135 T2+, G-SPAO, Glasgow, November 2013
- 9 Sep 2014AAIBReport on the accident to Agusta A109E, G-CRST Near Vauxhall Bridge, Central London on 16 January 2013
- 11 Jun 2014AAIBReport on the accidents to Eurocopter EC225 LP Super Puma G-REDW 34 nm east of Aberdeen, Scotland on 10 May 2012 and G-CHCN 32 nm southwest of Sumburgh, Shetland Islands on 22 October 2012
- 14 Feb 2014AAIBAAIB Bulletin: S2/2014 G-SPAO EW/C2013/11/04
- 12 Feb 2014AAIBAIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT 1/2014 Report on the accident to Airbus A330-343, G-VSXY London Gatwick Airport 16 April 2012
2013
- 9 Dec 2013AAIBAAIB Bulletin: S9/2013 G-SPAO EW/C2013/11/04
- 14 Nov 2013AAIBAAIB Bulletin S8/2013 SPECIAL
- 5 Sep 2013AAIBAAIB Bulletin: S6/2013 G-WNSB EW/C2013/08/03
- 18 Jul 2013AAIBAAIB Bulletin: S5/2013 ET-AOP EW/C2013/07/01
- 23 Jan 2013AAIBAAIB Bulletin S1/2013 SPECIAL
2012
- 29 Nov 2012AAIBAAIB Bulletin: S7/2012 G-CHCN EW/C2012/10/03
- 17 Oct 2012AAIBAAIB Bulletin: S5/2012 G-REDW EW/C2012/05/01
- 9 Oct 2012AAIBAAIB Bulletin: S4/2012 G-WIWI EW/C2012/05/05
- 13 Jul 2012AAIBAAIB Bulletin S3/2012 SPECIAL
- 2012AAIBAAIB Bulletin S2/2012 SPECIAL
2011
- 24 Nov 2011AAIBReport on the accident to Aerospatiale (Eurocopter) AS332 L2 Super Puma, registration G-REDL
- 14 Sep 2011AAIBReport on the accident to Eurocopter EC225 LP Super Puma, G-REDU near the Eastern Trough Area Project (ETAP) Central Production Facility Platform in the North Sea on 18 February 2009
- Aug 2011AAIBCessna 680 Citation Sovereign, G-CJCC, 30 September 2010
- 21 Jul 2011AAIBAAIB Special Bulletin: S2/2011 VP-MON EW/C2011/05/04
- 15 Apr 2011AAIBAAIB Bulletin S1/2011 SPECIAL
2010
- 5 Nov 2010AAIBAAIB Special Bulletin: 2/2010 G-MEDJ EWC2010/08/08
- 8 Oct 2010AAIBAAIB Bulletin S1/2010 SPECIAL
- 14 Sep 2010AAIBReport on the accident between Grob G115E (Tutor), G-BYXR and Standard Cirrus Glider, G-CKHT at Drayton, Oxfordshire on 14 June 2009
- 2 Sep 2010AAIBReport on the serious incident to Boeing 777-236, G-VIIR at Robert L Bradshaw International Airport St Kitts, West Indies on 26 September 2009
- 9 Feb 2010AAIBReport on the accident to Boeing 777-236ER, G-YMMM, at London Heathrow Airport on 17 January 2008
2009
- 16 Jul 2009AAIBAAIB Special Bulletin: 5/2009 G-REDL EW/C2009/04/01
- Jun 2009AAIBAAIB Special Bulletin: 4/2009 G-REDU EW/C2009/02/06
- 21 May 2009AAIBReport on the serious incident to Boeing 737-3Q8, registration G-THOF on approach to Runway 26 Bournemouth Airport, Hampshire on 23 September 2007
- 9 Jan 2009AAIBReport on the serious incidents to Boeing 737-81Q, registration G-XLAC on 29 December 2006 Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-202, registration G-BWDA on 29 December 2006 Embraer EMB-145EU, registration G-EMBO on 29 December 2006 and Boeing 737-81Q, registration G-XLAC on 3 January 2007 at Runway 27, Bristol International Airport
- 2009AAIBAAIB Special Bulletin: 1/2009 G-FBEH EW/C2009/01/03
2008
- 17 Oct 2008AAIBReport on the accident to Aerospatiale SA365N, registration G-BLUN near the North Morecambe gas platform Morecambe Bay on 27 December 2006
- 26 Feb 2008AAIBReport on the incident to Airbus A320-214, registration G-BXKD at Runway 09, Bristol Airport on 15 November 2006
- 12 Feb 2008AAIBReport on the accident to British Aerospace Jetstream 3202, registration G-BUVC at Wick Airport, Caithness, Scotland on 3 October 2006
- Feb 2008AAIBAAIB Special Bulletin: G-YMMM EW/C2008/01/01
- 2008AAIBAAIB Interim Report G-YMMM EW/C2008/01/01 ACCIDENT
2007
- 11 Dec 2007AAIBReport on the accident to Airbus A320-211, registration JY-JAR at Leeds Bradford Airport on 18 May 2005
- 6 Dec 2007AAIBReport on the incident to Airbus A321-231, registration G-MEDG During an approach to Khartoum Airport, Sudan on 11 March 2005
- 4 Sep 2007AAIBReport on the incident to Airbus A340-642, registration G-VATL en-route from Hong Kong to London Heathrow on 8 February 2005
- 31 May 2007AAIBReport on the accident to Piper PA-23-250 Aztec, N444DA
- 10 Jan 2007AAIBReport on the serious incident to British Aerospace ATP, G-JEMC
Photo list
How this page is built. Figures come from the official statistical releases linked above; where agencies publish provisional numbers we say so, because they are revised. UK statistics are often published separately for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so we say which area each figure covers. Photos are public-domain, Creative Commons or Open Government Licence images credited in each caption; file photos are illustrative and are not from the events described unless the caption says so. This page tracks trends and is not personal safety, medical, legal or financial advice.