Posted: May 7, 2025 / 10:21 AM CT
Author Highlights the alarming rate of incidents in early 2025 compared to the entire previous year.
2025 Aviation Safety Crisis: Q1 Incidents Nearly Match All of 2024
At first glance, 2024 appears to have been a more perilous year for aviation, with 244 onboard fatalities across seven fatal accidents.
In contrast, 2025 has recorded fewer fatalities thus far. However, this comparison overlooks the troubling nature of 2025’s incidents. The current year’s accidents are not only occurring with unsettling frequency but also under circumstances that raise serious concerns about systemic vulnerabilities. Also we aren’t even a full five whole months into 2025 and 2024 coverage was a full 12 months. So these results can be compared as where we are at 25% of the way through 2025. I do imagine that unfortunately by December of this year, these numbers will have quadrupled.
From mid-air collisions involving commercial and military aircraft to runway mishaps in areas lacking proper air traffic control oversight, 2025’s aviation incidents suggest deeper issues within the aviation infrastructure. These patterns indicate that, despite lower fatality numbers, the risks in 2025 may be more insidious and indicative of systemic failures that demand immediate attention.
✈️ Turbulence in the Skies: A Comparative Look at Aviation Incidents and ATC Outages in 2024 vs. 2025
📊 Aviation Incident Overview
2024: A Year of High-Profile Crashes
Total Fatal Accidents: 16 incidents Total Fatalities: 333
Notable Incidents:
1. Jeju Air Flight 2216: A Boeing 737-800 overran the runway in Muan, South Korea, resulting in 179 fatalities—the deadliest crash of the year.
2. Haneda Airport Collision: Japan Airlines Flight 516 collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft, leading to five deaths. Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243: Believed to have been struck by a missile near Aktau, Kazakhstan, killing 38.
2025: A Mixed Picture
Total Fatal Accidents: Data up to April indicates fewer fatal incidents compared to the same period in 2024. However, it’s not even 4.5 months into 2025.
2025 mixed Plane Events
Notable Incidents:
1. Mid-Air Collision Over Washington, D.C.: An American Airlines CRJ700 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in 70 fatalities.
2. Bering Air Flight 445: Crashed into ice in Alaska, killing all 10 on board.
3. Simi Valley Crash: A small plane crashed into a residential area, resulting in three deaths.
🛑 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Outages and Challenges
2024: Systemic Strains
CrowdStrike Outage: A software update error led to a global IT outage, grounding over 5,000 flights worldwide.
The FAA Staffing Shortages: The FAA faced a shortfall of approximately 3,500 air traffic controllers, leading to operational challenges across multiple airports.
Issues bleeding into issues.
2025: Compounding Issues
1. Newark Liberty International Airport: April 28 Incident: A damaged copper wire caused a 90-second radar and communication blackout, leading to significant flight delays and cancellations.
2. Ongoing Challenges: Staffing shortages, runway construction, and outdated technology have exacerbated disruptions, prompting 3. United Airlines: cut 10% of its flights at the hub.
4. FAA Response; Hiring Initiatives: The FAA “plans” to hire 2,000 new air traffic controllers in 2025, offering up to $15,000 in bonuses to attract candidates. Infrastructure
5. Upgrades: Efforts are underway to modernize the aging ATC infrastructure, including transitioning to a more reliable fiber-optic network.
📈 Comparative Analysis
2024 overview
Total Fatalities: 333
Approximately 151 Major ATC Outages
CrowdStrike global outage
Newark radar blackout
FAA Controller Shortage -3,500 workers
Ongoing employment issues with hiring initiatives launched
🧭 Conclusion
While 2024 was marked by a higher number of fatal aviation accidents, 2025 has seen significant challenges in air traffic control operations, particularly due to staffing shortages and infrastructure issues.
These are the incidents to date, in 2025 with aviation and travel.
The following is a comprehensive overview of aviation incidents and air traffic control (ATC) outages in 2025, following the implementation of the DOGE (Digital Operational Governance Enhancement) system:
The FAA’s proactive measures in 2025 aim to address these systemic problems, but the effectiveness of these initiatives remains to be seen.
So what can we do?
For travelers and industry stakeholders, staying informed about these developments is crucial for navigating the evolving landscape of aviation safety and operations.
✈️ Major Aviation Incidents in 2025
1. Mid-Air Collision Over Washington, D.C.
Date: January 29, 2025 Details: A Bombardier CRJ700 (American Airlines Flight 5342) collided mid-air with a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River.
Casualties: All 67 people aboard the CRJ700 and the 3 crew members of the helicopter perished.
2. Bering Air Flight 445 Crash
Date: February 6, 2025
Location: Norton Sound, Alaska Aircraft: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX Details: The aircraft crashed into ice while en route from Unalakleet to Nome.
Casualties: All 10 occupants died.
3. Simi Valley Plane Crash
Date: May 3, 2025
Location: Simi Valley, California Details: A small amateur-built plane crashed into a residential area. Casualties: A father, his son, and their dog died; two homes were damaged.
4. Aerolínea Lanhsa Flight 018 Crash
Date: March 17, 2025
Location: Near Roatán, Honduras Aircraft: British Aerospace Jetstream 32
Details: The aircraft crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff. Casualties: 13 of the 18 people on board died.
5. Delta Connection Flight 4819 Incident
Date: February 17, 2025
Location: Toronto Pearson International Airport Aircraft: Bombardier CRJ900 Details: The aircraft crashed and overturned upon landing. Casualties: All 80 occupants survived; 21 were injured.
🛑 Air Traffic Control Outages and Issues
1. Newark Liberty International Airport Outage
Date: April 28, 2025
Details: A damaged copper wire caused a 90-second radar and communication blackout, leading to significant flight delays and cancellations.
Impact: United Airlines, operating 75% of Newark’s flights, faced widespread disruptions.
2. FAA Staffing Shortages
Ongoing Issue: The FAA faces a nationwide shortage of 3,500 air traffic controllers, leading to operational challenges across multiple airports, including Newark.
3. San Francisco International Airport Incident
Date: May 6, 2025
Details: Two United Airlines planes clipped wings while taxiing in an area not covered by air traffic control communication. Impact: No injuries reported; passengers were safely deplaned.
📊 Summary Statistics (January – April 2025)
Total U.S. Aviation Incidents: 44 deadly crashes
Total Fatalities: At least 151 people
🔧 Initiatives and Responses
Modernization Efforts: – -Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has pledged to overhaul the outdated U.S. air traffic control system, emphasizing the need for modernization to prevent future outages.
–Staffing Incentives: The FAA is offering $5,000 hiring bonuses to attract new air traffic controllers and address staffing shortages.
If you need more detailed information on any specific incident or further data, see the sources below
References:
IATA Safety Report 2024 https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2025-releases/2025-02-26-01
Wikipedia: 2025 in Aviation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_in_aviation
Bering Air Flight 445 Crash Summary https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bering_Air_Flight_445 LATimes: Simi Valley Plane Crash https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-05-05/airplane-crash-in-simi-valley
Fox10 Phoenix: Timeline of Deadly Plane Crashes 2025 https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline Reuters: Newark Air Traffic Control Failure & Staffing Issues https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/sustainable-finance-reporting/top-senate-democrat-seeks-probe-into-newark-flight-woes-2025-05-05
People.com: United Planes Clip Wings at SFO https://people.com/two-united-airlines-planes-clip-wings-at-san-francisco-weeks-after-similar-incident-in-washington-dc-11729620
News.com.au: ATC Blackout at Newark Airport https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/terrifying-moment-air-traffic-control-lost-contact-with-planes-at-newark/news-story/a0c310d8d42d26f7f8c4c765d54579ed NYPost: Opinion – Modernizing Air Traffic Control https://nypost.com/2025/05/06/opinion/code-red-at-newark-modernize-air-traffic-control-before-its-too-late
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The Taco Cat - Kept Knowledge 
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