U.S. charter operators, fractional operators maintain high safety record

According to Aviation International News, charter operators in the U.S. had one fatal turbine business jet accident in passenger operations during the first nine months of 2024, while fractional operators maintained their decades-long record without fatalities.

Overall, 10 accidents occurred among U.S.-registered turboprops and private jets, including Parts 91, 91K, and 135.

There were 26 crew and passenger deaths through the end of September.

According to the AIN data, that compares to 12 accidents and 42 deaths during the first three quarters of 2023.

The only U.S. Part 135 (charter and jet card flights) fatal accident was a Hop-A-Jet flight that attempted to land on a highway in Naples, Florida.

The flight attendant and passengers survived as both pilots lost their lives.

Nearly all of the accidents involved Part 91 operations.

A separate 2023 AIN analysis found no fatal accidents by U.S. fractionals since tracking data in 2006.

Another AIN safety report found Part 135 operators with three fatal business jet accidents between 2011 and 2020.

Before the Naples accident in February, the last fatal U.S. private jet charter accident was in 2018.

For the U.S., from 2010 through 2020, Part 91 operated private jets had 31 fatal accidents, resulting in 114 deaths.

The three fatal business jet charter accidents of N-registered tails included a 2012 Learjet 25 crash. The accident was on a flight between Monterrey and Toluca, Mexico.

In 2015, a Hawker 700A crashed after departing Akron Regional Airport.

WingX data shows between 38,000 and 57,000 charter and fractional flights weekly in the U.S.

There are over 40,000 deaths annually from auto accidents in the U.S.