While Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I) related accidents are infrequent, LOC-I remains the number one cause of fatal accidents and fatalities across all sectors of aviation. Furthermore, according to recent data from the NTSB from 2014 to 2023, single-pilot operations account for eight times more LOC-I related accidents when compared to crewed operations.
What THE DATA SHOWS
According to the NTSB’s 2014–2023 data on Part 135 On-Demand and General Aviation Business or Executive/Corporate fixed-wing operations, single-pilot flights were involved in 8.6 times more fatal LOC-I accidents than crewed operations.
While this dataset does not account for operational volume or flight hours, the disparity in fatal accident counts is clear. The elevated number of fatalities in single-pilot LOC-I events is a significant concern, particularly in business aviation and executive operations where these flights are increasingly common.
Understanding the Risk Environment
Single-pilot operators manage every aspect of flight: navigation, systems, communication, and manual control—often under high workloads and without the backup of a second set of eyes. The absence of a monitoring pilot increases the likelihood that an error chain goes unbroken, especially during unexpected or high-stress situations.
In the video below, APS CEO Paul “BJ” Ransbury presents the data in context and examines the operational and human factors that contribute to single-pilot vulnerability. He also highlights findings from leading aviation safety organizations, including NBAA, the FAA, and the Flight Safety Foundation.
Addressing the Training Gap
Numerous industry safety bodies—including NBAA’s Risk Management Guide and the FAA’s Single-Pilot CRM Framework—emphasize that structured, recurrent training is essential for managing the demands of single-pilot flying. The challenges range from degraded situational awareness to delayed recognition of unstable flight conditions.
Modern Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), when aligned with current safety standards and delivered by experienced professionals, can provide the missing layer of resilience needed in these environments.
A Critical Consideration for the Aviation Safety Community
This data does not assign blame to pilots—but it does highlight the unique complexity of single-pilot operations and the need for focused mitigation strategies. Safety leaders, regulators, and operators must continue to assess and address the disproportionate share of fatal LOC-I events occurring in single-pilot flights.
When manual flying skills are sharp, mental models are aligned, and risk management habits are reinforced through scenario-based training, pilots are far better positioned to prevent upsets—or recover effectively when they occur.
