Plane crashes have people freaked out – but here’s what US data for 2025 shows

This year’s 16 fatal accidents fall below average rate of 20 per month, yet recent crashes were US’s deadliest in a decade

People across the US are worried about flight safety after several high-profile plane crashes this year, including a commercial crash in Washington DC that killed 67 people. Google searches for “is flying safe” have jumped in recent weeks. But the numbers suggest 2025 has actually been a relatively safe year to fly – at least in terms of the overall number of accidents.

January and February typically have about 20 fatal aviation accidents per month, according to numbers from the National Transportation Safety Board. By contrast, this January, there were only 10 fatal aviation accidents, and in February there were six. The data covers all US civil aviation, from large commercial planes to private jets.

Topics

Here's what to know about today's inflation data from the PCE report

A large majority of Americans say their incomes aren't keeping pace with inflation. Here's what the numbers say.
CBS News - 1d
Are planes crashing more often?

A recent flurry of air disasters have made some people worried about flying - but are crashes on the rise?
BBC News - Feb. 22
Americans’ confidence in air travel falls after string of plane crashes, poll shows

Survey indicates 64% of Americans believe flying is safe, down from 71% who said so last year. Americans’ confidence in aviation has slipped following a string of plane crashes in 2025, according ...
The Guardian - Feb. 20
Here's what a $70,000 HELOC costs monthly in 2025

Wondering what a $70,000 HELOC might cost you? Find out what your monthly payment could be.
CBS News - Feb. 21
Here's what a $150,000 HELOC will cost monthly in 2025

Payments on a $150,000 HELOC could rise or fall if opened this year. Here's what to consider right now.
CBS News - 4d
Do you have a favorite kid? Here's what may contribute to perception

A new study found that parental favoritism is real and that multiple factors like gender and culture could be influences.
CBS News - Feb. 21
The average IRS tax refund is more than 32% lower so far this season, early filing data shows. Here's why

The average IRS tax refund is more than 32% lower so far this season, according to early filing data. Here's what to know.
CNBC - 3d
Delta Offers $30,000 to Passengers on Plane That Crashed in Toronto

The airline said it told the 76 passengers who had been on the plane, which crashed and flipped over on Monday, that the offer came with “no strings attached.”
The New York Times - Feb. 20
Delta faces first lawsuit in Toronto plane crash

Less than two days after Delta Air Lines offered $30,000 to each passenger on board the flight that crashed and flipped in Toronto on Monday afternoon, the company is facing its first lawsuit in ...
CBS News - Feb. 21

More from The Guardian

Starmer welcomes Zelenskyy to Downing Street ahead of tomorrow’s defence summit with European leaders – live

Ukrainian president has landed in the UK and is holding talks with PM Keir Starmer . ‘He defended our honour’: Ukrainians react to Zelenskyy’s clash with Trump Ukraine has destroyed 103 drones ...
The Guardian - 9m
‘He defended our honour’: Ukraine reacts to Zelenskyy’s clash with Trump

Back home there was widespread support for Ukraine’s president, but also dismay at his car-crash encounter in the Oval Office. Live reaction to Zelenskyy’s clash with Trump and Vance ...
The Guardian - 5h
‘A bigger victory for Putin than any military battle’: Russia gleeful after Trump-Zelenskyy clash

Putin stays silent but Russian politicians and media outlets crow with delight after the ambush of Ukraine’s leader. Russian officials and Moscow’s media outlets reacted with predictable glee to ...
The Guardian - 2h
How JD Vance emerged as the chief saboteur of the transatlantic alliance

Vance snaked his way in first to the row between Trump and Zelenskyy, his second intrusion this month after Munich. Live reaction to Zelenskyy’s clash with Trump and Vance JD Vance was ...
The Guardian - 11h
Gunshots and a surge of panic: footage shows last moments of boy, 12, killed in the West Bank

Two children a week are killed in the West Bank. Two cameras recorded the circumstances of one such death. The last time Nassar al-Hammouni talked to his son, Ayman, it was by telephone and the ...
The Guardian - 13h

More in World

Bournemouth v Wolves goes to penalties: FA Cup latest, EFL, La Liga and more – live

Updates from Saturday’s afternoon kick-offs Live scoreboard | Email Will | Sign up for Football Daily There’s been another goal at Selhurst Park. Palace are now 3-1 up, Eddie Nketiah ...
The Guardian - 5m
Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle: FA Cup fifth round – live

FA Cup fifth round news from the 5.45pm GMT kick-off Live scores | Read the latest Football Daily | Mail Barry “It’s Manchester City, it’s away, the team which has dominated the Premier ...
The Guardian - 6m
Starmer welcomes Zelenskyy to Downing Street ahead of tomorrow’s defence summit with European leaders – live

Ukrainian president has landed in the UK and is holding talks with PM Keir Starmer . ‘He defended our honour’: Ukrainians react to Zelenskyy’s clash with Trump Ukraine has destroyed 103 drones ...
The Guardian - 9m
Salman Rushdie out, Dan Brown in: why it’s time to detoxify our middle-class bookshelves | Gareth Rubin

Drop the pretence: instead of parading a love of highbrow literature, just enjoy the books you want to read. Toughen up. It’s the end of the line for soft, middle-class authors. Lefty-baiting ...
The Guardian - 31m
Welcome to the Zero Sum Era. Now How Do We Get Out?

Zero-sum thinking has spread like a mind virus, from geopolitics to pop culture.
The New York Times - 40m