Fatal GA Accidents Down 5%; Technology a Positive Factor

The number of fatal general aviation accidents declined by 5% during the twelve months ending September 30^th, the FAA reported.  Modern technology was given some of the credit.

The agency's goal was to have no more than 331 fatal general aviation accidents during the period; the actual number was 314.  Fatalities in general aviation accidents also declined significantly, from 676 in fiscal 2006 to 564 in fiscal 2007.  For these calculations, "general aviation" includes not only privately flown planes but also non-scheduled air taxi flights.

FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, Nicholas A. Sabatini, credited the achievement to the "dedicated commitment to safety by everyone in general aviation," but also noted the "sophisticated technology like GPS and glass cockpits - and the training to go with them" that is now being provided by manufacturers. 10-31-2007.

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