What’s With All the Plane Crashes Lately?

Surge in Airplane Crashes and Close Calls Sparks Safety Concerns in 2025

March 1, 2025 – A troubling wave of airplane crashes and near-misses has gripped the United States in the opening months of 2025, raising widespread alarm about the safety of air travel. With several high-profile incidents resulting in significant loss of life and a series of close calls exposing vulnerabilities in the aviation system, experts and officials are scrambling to identify causes and implement solutions. Here’s a look at the incidents, the reasons behind this alarming trend, and the steps being taken to address it.

Major Aviation Incidents of 2025:

1. January 29 – Midair Collision Near Washington, D.C.
   An American Airlines passenger jet collided with a U.S. Army helicopter over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft. This marked the deadliest U.S. plane crash since 2001. Footage captured the horrific moment of impact, intensifying public fears.
2. January 31 – Medical Plane Crash in Philadelphia
   A Learjet operating as a medical transport crashed shortly after takeoff from a small airport, slamming into a residential neighborhood. The fiery wreck killed all six onboard and one person on the ground, leaving a trail of destruction and a massive fireball visible for miles.
3. February 6 – Single-Engine Cessna Crash in Alaska
   A commuter flight carrying ten people, including the pilot, crashed on Alaska’s sea ice. All aboard perished. The harsh weather and remote location complicated rescue efforts, spotlighting the risks of small-plane travel in rugged regions.
4. February 17 – Delta Air Lines Crash Landing in Toronto
   Delta Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport after departing Minneapolis. The CRJ-900 flipped upside down, but all 80 passengers and crew were evacuated with no fatalities. Video of the incident went viral, amplifying concerns.
5. February 19 – Midair Collision in Arizona
   Two small planes—a Lancair and a Cessna 172—collided near Marana Regional Airport, an uncontrolled field. At least one death was confirmed, with two people aboard each aircraft. Details remain sparse as investigations begin.
6. Close Call: February 5 – Seattle-Tacoma Airport Incident
   A Japan Airlines jet clipped a parked Delta plane while taxiing, causing minor damage but no injuries. The incident added to growing unease about ground safety at busy airports.
7. Close Call: February 9 – Houston Airport Engine Fire
   A United Airlines plane aborted takeoff after an engine caught fire, sparked by a mechanical issue. Flames erupted on the wing, but all passengers were safely evacuated, averting disaster.

Why Are These Incidents Happening?

Experts point to a confluence of factors driving this spike in aviation incidents:

• Air Traffic Control Strain: Federal officials have long warned of an overtaxed and understaffed air traffic control (ATC) system. Staffing shortages—exacerbated by uncompetitive pay, grueling shifts, and mandatory retirements—have left the system vulnerable. A 2023 FAA review flagged “inadequate funding” and an “erosion” of safety standards, a situation worsened by the Trump administration’s recent firing of hundreds of probationary FAA employees.
• Outdated Technology: President Donald Trump blamed the January 29 collision on an “obsolete” ATC system, a sentiment echoed by critics who argue that aging infrastructure struggles to handle modern traffic volumes. Near-misses in 2023 and 2024 had already signaled trouble, yet upgrades have lagged.
• Human Error and Fatigue: Investigations into the Washington and Philadelphia crashes have revealed troubling early findings, including potential pilot or controller missteps. Chronic understaffing may be contributing to fatigue, reducing reaction times in critical moments.
• Increased Small-Plane Activity: Fatal crashes involving smaller aircraft, like those in Alaska and Arizona, reflect the higher risks of general aviation. These planes often operate in challenging conditions with less oversight than commercial jets.
• Weather and Mechanical Issues: Harsh winter weather likely played a role in the Alaska crash, while mechanical failures—like the Houston engine fire—highlight maintenance concerns amid rising operational pressures.

Despite air travel’s statistical safety—boasting a fatality rate too low to calculate compared to cars’ 1-in-93 odds, per the National Safety Council—the severity of 2025’s incidents has shattered public confidence.

What’s Being Done to Fix the Aviation Crisis?

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are under intense scrutiny as they investigate these events. Here’s what’s in motion:

• Immediate Investigations: The NTSB is leading probes into each major crash, with preliminary reports expected soon. Full findings, however, could take over a year, frustrating calls for swift action.
• ATC Modernization: Trump has vowed to overhaul the “obsolete” ATC system, though specifics remain unclear amid political turbulence. The FAA’s 2025 budget request seeks funds to hire more controllers and upgrade facilities, but recent staff cuts have drawn criticism.
• Safety Reviews: Following 2023’s rash of near-misses, the FAA launched a “Safety Call to Action,” introducing tools like the Surface Safety Awareness Initiative (SAI) to enhance runway monitoring. Serious runway incursions dropped in 2024, but midair and mechanical incidents now demand broader focus.
• Industry Collaboration: Airports are holding Runway Safety Action Team meetings to address local risks, while airlines face pressure to bolster pilot training and maintenance checks.
• Public Assurance: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has emphasized air travel’s relative safety, urging calm. Yet, with 87 aviation accidents reported by mid-February (per NTSB data), including 13 fatal crashes killing at least 85, skepticism persists.

Looking Ahead

While the total number of incidents in 2025 is down from 123 in the same period of 2024, the higher fatality count—85 versus 42—underscores a shift toward deadlier outcomes. The involvement of larger aircraft and urban crashes has fueled perceptions of a crisis, despite historical safety gains. As investigations unfold and reforms take shape, the aviation industry faces a pivotal moment to restore trust in the skies. For now, each takeoff carries heightened stakes.

These incidents have prompted discussions about aviation safety, especially given the recent spike in aviation accidents. Despite these tragedies, experts emphasize that flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation, with continuous improvements in safety protocols and technology contributing to a significant decline in aviation fatalities over the past decades.