2012 was exceptionally safe year for aviation

PARIS – Last year was the safest since 1945 by number of accidents, according to the Aviation Safety Network.

For the year 2012, the Aviation Safety Network said it recorded a total of 23 fatal airliner accidents, resulting in 475 fatalities and 36 ground fatalities. These figures are lower than the ten-year average of 34 accidents and 773 fatalities. They are also the lowest since 1945 with eleven accidents.


“Since 1997 the average number of airliner accidents has shown a steady and persistent decline, probably for a great deal thanks to the continuing safety-driven efforts by international aviation organizations such as ICAO, IATA, Flight Safety Foundation and the aviation industry,” commented Harro Ranter, ASN president.

The worst accident occurred on June 3, 2012 when a Dana Air MD-83 crashed while on approach to Lagos, Nigeria, killing 153 on board and ten on the ground.

ASN indicated that Africa remains the least safe continent, with 22 percent of all fatal airliner accidents in 2012. Note that the continent only represents about 3 percent of all world aircraft departures.


The Aviation Safety Network is an independent organization based in the Netherlands.

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