78 Lives Lost: Examining the Surge in 2025 Plane Crashes
Although many airline passengers feel some level of worry about flying, air travel is widely regarded as one of the safest modes of transportation. A 2024 MIT study revealed that commercial air travel has become roughly twice as safe every decade, but recent headlines paint a more sobering picture.
On January 29th, 67 people were killed when an American Airlines aircraft collided with an Army helicopter over the Potomac River.
Another 10 people were lost on February 6th when a commuter plane crashed in Alaska, leaving wreckage across the Bering Sea.
On February 10, a pilot was killed and four passengers were injured when a private jet veered off the runway at Scottsdale Municipal Airport.
On February 12, two Navy pilots were forced to eject just before their EA-18G Growler crashed into San Diego Bay.
On February 17, at least 15 people were injured when a Delta flight crashed while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
We have seen an unusually high number of incidents in early 2025, leading many to question why. Is this sudden wave of airplane accidents truly a statistical outlier, or does it hint at deeper issues like inadequate training, faulty equipment, or lapses in safety oversight?
A Wave of High-Profile Aviation Incidents
In the span of just three weeks, aviation disasters have appeared at the top of news feeds across the country.
Potomac River near Washington, D.C. (January 29, 2025)
On January 29, a disastrous mid-air collision occurred over the Potomac River, involving an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 and a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
All 67 individuals aboard the 2 aircraft were killed instantly.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the collision took place at roughly 325 feet—exceeding the FAA’s 200-foot altitude limit for helicopters on that corridor. While weather conditions were reportedly clear, investigators are focusing on flight route discrepancies and possible communication errors as contributing factors.
The tragic event immediately prompted questions about airspace management near busy metropolitan hubs. Both American Airlines and the U.S. Army have pledged full cooperation with the ongoing NTSB review, which will include examination of flight data recorders, air traffic control communications, and radar logs. Local authorities and federal agencies alike have expressed urgency in understanding what led to the fatal sequence of events and whether tighter controls or updated regulations could prevent such a collision in the future.
Seattle, Washington (February 5, 2025)
At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, a Japan Airlines jet was taxiing on the tarmac when it clipped the tail of a parked Delta Air Lines plane awaiting deicing. Although no injuries were reported, the impact damaged both aircraft, prompting airline representatives to deboard passengers and transfer them to an alternate flight.
Initial findings suggest that poor visibility or miscommunication between ground crews may have contributed to the incident.
Port of Seattle authorities are collaborating with the FAA to assess procedural breakdowns that led to the collision. Safety experts point out that tarmac accidents—often referred to as ground collisions—can be minimized through rigorous adherence to runway and taxiway protocols, coordination with air traffic control, and enhanced situational awareness technology. Given the busy nature of Sea-Tac’s operations, comprehensive training and precise communication are critical for all parties involved.
Juneau, Alaska (February 6, 2025)
On February 6, a Cessna Caravan commuter plane operated by Bering Air took off from Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. on a routine flight and disappeared from radar just under an hour later. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, an “event” occurred around 3:18 p.m. that caused a sudden drop in speed and altitude. By the time rescue crews arrived at the last known coordinates, they discovered wreckage scattered across the icy Bering Sea.
Tragically, all 10 people on board were killed.
Alaska State Troopers, the Coast Guard, and the NTSB launched an extensive investigation, sending a multi-state NTSB team to the site. The flight went missing in conditions of light snow and fog, with temperatures hovering around 17°F, aligning with the harsh realities of aviation in Alaska’s rugged and remote terrain.
As the third major U.S. aviation mishap in just over a week, the crash heightened national concern over an apparent spike in airplane tragedies.
Unfortunately, only a few more days would pass before another tragedy would strike.
Scottsdale, Arizona (February 10, 2025)
On February 10, a private jet connected to Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil crashed while attempting to land at Scottsdale Municipal Airport. The aircraft veered off the runway, careened into a parked Gulfstream jet, and burst into flames. The pilot died at the scene. Three additional passengers—among them Neil’s girlfriend, Rain Hannah—suffered injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Vince Neil was not on board at the time.
Early reports from airport authorities indicate the jet might have landed with excessive speed or angle, although a full NTSB investigation is underway to determine contributing factors, such as pilot error, mechanical issues, or landing conditions.
San Diego Bay (February 12, 2025)
An EA-18G Growler fighter jet crashed into San Diego Bay near Shelter Island during an aborted landing approach to Naval Air Station North Island, prompting immediate rescue and recovery efforts by the U.S. Navy. Both crew members managed to eject safely and were transported to UCSD Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. According to Navy officials, an apparent mechanical issue may have contributed to the sudden nose-dive, which was captured on video by local residents.
Environmental teams temporarily closed nearby Kellogg Beach due to potential hazards from leaking fuel, while salvage crews worked to retrieve the downed aircraft from the bay. An investigation into the exact cause of the crash is ongoing.
Toronto, Canada (February 17, 2025)
In an alarming international aviation incident, a Delta Air Lines flight originating from Minneapolis crashed while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport amid gusty winds and blowing snow. The plane flipped upside-down on the snow-covered ground, injuring eight people—one of whom was in critical but stable condition at the time of initial reports.
According to Peel Regional Police, all 80 passengers and crew on Flight 4819 were successfully evacuated, and an investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada is now underway to determine what caused the aircraft to overturn and briefly catch fire. The airport temporarily suspended operations following the crash.
Is This Surge Surprising—or Part of a Larger Pattern?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) maintain extensive records of aviation incidents. Historically, commercial airline crashes in the U.S. have become increasingly rare—particularly when measured against past decades. Global data supports this trend, with an MIT statistician noting that between 2018 and 2022, the chance of an airline passenger being killed in a flight was approximately 1 in 13.4 million, compared to 1 in 350,000 in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Still, within a span of less than two weeks, the United States experienced three devastating plane crashes that claimed 78 lives. Although they happened in vastly different regions, each may share underlying factors—such as lapses in safety protocols, inadequate corporate oversight, or flaws in aircraft design—that link them more closely than initial appearances suggest.
Every accident warrants its own rigorous investigation to pinpoint failures that could have been prevented through stricter regulations, better maintenance protocols, or more consistent training. Until those points of failure are fully addressed—particularly by the airline companies, manufacturers, and regulatory authorities with the power to implement systemic change—the risk of further tragedies remains.
Common Factors: Corporate Oversight, Maintenance & More
Aviation accidents rarely stem from a single mistake. Like most catastrophes, they’re often caused by a confluence of issues rooted in corporate responsibility, manufacturing standards, and regulatory enforcement—or the lack thereof.
We must consider whether 2025’s airplane tragedies can be attributed to:
- Corporate Oversight & Safety Culture: Airlines and their partners must commit to high-level accountability, from rigorous employee training to strict adherence to FAA regulations. Companies that treat safety measures as optional or secondary to profits can create environments ripe for catastrophic errors.
- Mechanical & Structural Failures: Worn-out parts, spotty inspections, or subpar manufacturing processes can trigger mid-air failures with dire consequences. When larger corporations cut corners on maintenance or equipment, the smallest defect can lead to disaster.
- Training & Operational Protocols: While pilot error can be a factor, it often reflects broader training deficiencies or corporate-driven pressure to meet tight schedules. Insufficient pilot preparation, maintenance crew oversight, and rushed procedures can all be traced back to a company’s profit-driven decisions.
- Weather & Environmental Conditions: Inclement weather is frequently cited as a cause for aviation accidents, but proper forecasting, planning, and equipment checks can mitigate these risks. A failure to prioritize weather preparedness may point once again to poor corporate or regulatory oversight.
Whether these recent crashes represent a statistical anomaly or a deeper systemic problem, the NTSB’s ongoing investigations aim to expose exactly what might have contributed to these disasters. Bringing those issues to light is the first step in driving the reforms needed to protect passengers and flight crews nationwide.
Who Investigates Aviation Accidents?
In the United States, the NTSB is responsible for investigating aviation accidents. They work closely with the FAA, local authorities, and other stakeholders to collect data, analyze flight records, interview witnesses, and inspect wreckage. Their goal is to issue a final report that outlines probable cause and makes safety recommendations.
The Black Box: A Crucial Piece of the Puzzle
Like semi-truck “black boxes”—a topic we covered in a recent article highlighting how data recorders can capture important driving and mechanical information—airplanes have flight data recorders (FDR) and cockpit voice recorders (CVR).
FDRs log crucial metrics such as airspeed, altitude, heading, and vertical acceleration.
CVRs capture the final moments of in-cabin communication, including conversations between crew members and air traffic control.
These devices are engineered to withstand severe impact, heat, and water immersion. Even in catastrophic crashes where the aircraft explodes or catches fire, there’s a good chance the flight recorders can be recovered intact. Together, these recorders can provide an invaluable play-by-play of an aircraft’s final flight, guiding investigators to the underlying cause.
Legal Accountability for Airplane Accidents
Fault can be more complicated to determine. It may lie with:
- Pilots or flight crew for errors in judgment or training deficiencies.
- Airline or charter operators for lax maintenance, poor pilot training, or ignored safety regulations.
- Manufacturers for defective parts or flawed designs.
- Air traffic control for errors in communication or flight route instructions.
For families who have lost loved ones in airplane crashes, finding answers and seeking accountability can make a considerable difference. Wrongful death or personal injury claims can be filed against airlines, manufacturers, or other responsible parties. These high-stakes cases are extremely complex, involving a tangle of regulations and legal matters to unravel liability and determine fair compensation.
Lessons from Recent Tragedies
While each of the recent crashes is unique, many share underlying themes: operational challenges, uncertain weather conditions, or possible pilot error. The Scottsdale private jet accident shows how a single issue during landing can prove disastrous. The Juneau crash highlights the importance of weather forecasts and aircraft readiness. The Potomac River collision raises questions of altitude compliance and oversight.
These tragedies remind us that every link in the aviation chain—from the engineers who design aircraft, to the technicians who maintain them, to the controllers guiding them in flight—must operate seamlessly. When one link fails, the consequences can be devastating.
Putting Safety First in Aviation
It’s too soon to know if the early 2025 spike in plane crashes is an outlier or indicative of systemic issues in the aviation industry.
Regardless, the recent string of accidents reinforces the need for safety protocols such as:
- Improved pilot training and certification
- Routine and thorough maintenance checks
- Stricter weather-related flight guidelines
- Transparent accident investigations and public reporting
Air travel remains statistically safer than many other modes of transportation, but each accident is a grim reminder that there’s no room for complacency. No matter what.
