Loss of Control In-Flight (LOC-I) was the leading fatality category across fixed-wing business, executive/corporate and Part 135 on-demand operations in a National Transportation Safety Board analysis covering 2016–2025. The first-edition analysis, summarised by Aviation Performance Solutions, separates accident frequency from fatalities to help U.S. operators and flight departments prioritise pilot training, upset prevention and recovery, and safety-management controls.
The analysis examines NTSB accident data across the three fixed-wing operating categories, ranking defining events by total accidents, fatal accidents and fatalities. Its comparisons show why frequently recorded accident types do not necessarily create the greatest human consequences.
In Part 135 on-demand fixed-wing operations, LOC-I accounted for 12% of accidents but 24% of fatalities. Abnormal runway contact represented 14% of accidents and 2% of fatalities. The figures provide category-specific risk context rather than treating business aviation as a single group.
APS separately released a LOC-I safety-management-system risk-control integration guide at NBAA-BACE 2026. The material is intended to help flight departments assess LOC-I exposure, select and integrate upset-prevention and recovery training, document responsibilities and monitor the effectiveness of controls.