Catastrophic Air Mishaps: Pilot Self-Slayings Emerge as Second-Ranking Factor in Aviation Tragedies
Over the past decade, the commercial aviation industry has been marred by a series of tragic crashes. Between 2014 and 2025, over 2,500 fatalities were recorded worldwide, with the majority of incidents attributed to pilot suicide, mechanical failure combined with pilot error, and military activity or mid-air collisions.
One of the most devastating incidents was the China Eastern MU5735 crash in 2022, which claimed 132 lives. While the airline had a 7-star safety rating, the tragedy was due to pilot suicide. Another significant incident was the Ethiopian Airlines ET302 crash in 2019, which resulted in 157 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
Pilot suicide has emerged as a concerning trend, accounting for approximately 800 of these fatalities. If confirmed, the 2025 Air India AI171 crash will be another case of pilot suicide, bringing the total number of such incidents to around 800 fatalities between 2014 and 2025.
Mechanical failures, often intertwined with pilot error, have been another significant cause, particularly in crashes involving airlines with weaker safety records. These failures sometimes involve critical systems such as the fuel control switches, as observed in the 2025 Air India AI171 crash, where the fuel supply to the engines was cut off shortly after takeoff, leading to loss of engine thrust and crash.
Military activity and mid-air collisions, though less frequent, also caused some crashes outside the airline’s control. The MH17 tragedy in 2014 is a notable example, with 298 fatalities due to military shootdown.
Regional statistics illustrate safety trends. India, for instance, saw zero accidents per million departures in 2023, a significant improvement from the 0.87 the previous year. However, incidents like the 2025 Air India AI171 crash highlight that serious risks persist.
The figures underscore the critical importance of mental health monitoring for pilots, rigorous maintenance and safety protocols, and enhanced security to mitigate military-related risks in commercial aviation. As we remember those who have lost their lives in these tragic incidents, it is essential to learn from the past and strive for a safer future in the skies.
Here is a summary of some of the most notable crashes during this period:
- Aeroflot SU1492 (2019) had 41 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
- Precision Air PW494 (2022) had 19 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
- Jeju Air LJ432 (2024) had 179 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
- TransAsia Airways GE222 (2014) had 48 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
- Air Algérie AH5017 (2014) had 116 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
- Lion Air JT610 (2018) had 189 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
- Air India Express IX1344 (2020) had 17 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
- Pakistan International Airlines PK661 (2016) had 48 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
- Yeti Airlines YT691 (2023) had 72 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
- Sriwijaya Air SJ182 (2021) had 62 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
- AirAsia QZ8501 (2014) had 162 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
- Tara Air 9N-AET (2022) had 22 fatalities due to mechanical failure and pilot error.
For transparency, the AirlineRatings.com safety rating of each airline at the time of the incident is included in the list.
In addition to these incidents, the commercial aviation industry also experienced a mid-air collision, the PSA / American Airlines Flight 67 in 2025, which had 67 fatalities.
As we reflect on these tragic events, it is crucial to remember the importance of safety in the aviation industry and the ongoing efforts to make commercial flights safer for all passengers.
- The tragic crashes in the commercial aviation industry over the past decade, as highlighted by incidents such as the China Eastern MU5735 and Ethiopian Airlines ET302, underscore the need for enhanced safety measures in areas like pilot mental health, maintenance, and security, to prevent future losses like the 800 fatalities attributed to pilot suicide between 2014 and 2025.
- The finance and transportation sectors have a vital role to play in the evolution of the aviation industry, as evidenced by the ongoing investments in maintaining safety standards and implementing safeguards to minimize the risk of mechanical failures, regardless of an airline's safety rating, as seen in incidents like the PSA / American Airlines Flight 67 mid-air collision in 2025.
