Fatal Aviation Crashes in Alaska – A Need for Renewed Caution and Diligence

crashes, an average of one crash every 2 days. Of these crashes, 188 (11.2%) were fatal, resulting in 402 deaths.1 Since the 1990s, federal and state agencies and non-profit organizations have made cooperative efforts to improve aviation safety in Alaska by installing weather cameras, implementing programs such as the Capstone Program (a federally-funded safety program that provided information about traffic and terrain features to improve pilots ’ situational awareness), and creating organizations like the Medallion Foundation (a non-profit organization that promotes aviation safety by providing resources, training and support to the aviation community). This review of Alaska aircraft crash data was prompted by the recent air transportation tragedies in 2010. Preliminary information for crashes occurring in 2009 and 2010 may change as reports become finalized. Methods Investigation reports from the National Transportation Safety Board were used to identify fatal aviation crashes that occurred in Alaska during January 1, 2000 through September 1, 2010.2 These reports include information on crash circumstances, aircraft, pilots, and a narrative that outlines factors contributing to the crash. Results During 2000–2009, 103 civilian fatal aviation crashes occurred in Alaska, resulting in 33 serious injuries and 228 fatalities. These crashes involved 104 aircraft (including one midair collision), of which 96 were fixed wing, seven were rotorcraft, and one was a gyroplane. Compared to 2000–2004, the number of fatal crashes and fatalities that occurred during 2005–2009 decreased (Table). Thus far in 2010, 19 people (11 pilots and 8 passengers) were fatally injured and eight people (1 pilot and 7 passengers) were seriously injured in 10 civilian fatal aviation crashes; these numbers exceed the average number of annual fatalities and crashes during 2005–2009. At the time of this report, one additional airplane was reported as missing in 2010; its pilot and three passengers have not been found