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Annual Safety Review 2014
Executive Summary
PAGE
10
In addition to presenting key statistics relating to worldwide and European aviation safety, this document con‑
tains for the first time safety risk portfolios for European commercial air transport aeroplanes and offshore
helicopter operations. These portfolios link safety issues to their associated potential consequences or risk are‑
as. They are live documents that will continually evolve, on the basis of further safety analysis and the changing
aviation system. The most recent versions will be made available through the EASA website.
Worldwide Aviation Safety
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In 2014, 16 fatal accidents occurred involving Commercial Air Transport aeroplanes. This is compared
with 14 fatal accidents in the previous year. The number of fatal accidents in 2014 was still significant‑
ly below the average number of fatal accidents for the previous 10 years (2004-2013).
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The biggest change in 2014 was the increase in fatalities when compared with 2013. In 2014 there
were 648 fatalities in Fixed Wing Commercial Air Transport compared with 185 in 2013. The 2014 in‑
crease in fatalities was the result of accidents involving larger aircraft carrying more passengers than
those in 2013. In 2013 no single accident involved more than 50 fatalities. The number of fatalities in
2014 was 1.5% higher than the average for the previous 10 years.
European Commercial Air Transport Aeroplanes
There was 1 fatal accident involving EASA Member State aircraft during 2014. This was the Swiftair
operated Air Algerie Flight 5017 accident in Mali on 24 July 2014 resulting in 116 fatalities. There
were 26 non‑fatal accidents in 2014, an increase of 22 from 2013 figures. However, there was
a reduction in serious incidents from 74 down to 66. The top 5 safety risk areas that will be the
main focus of activity under the European Aviation Safety Plan (EASp) in the area of Commercial Air
Transport are assessed as:
1. Loss of control in flight
This is the most critical risk area for fatal accidents, both in Europe and worldwide. From the
analysis performed by the Agency the top contributing safety issues for loss of control are the
implementation of management systems and oversight, communication and decision making,
knowledge of aircraft systems and associated procedures, crew awareness and the management of
adverse weather conditions. These safety issues will be the focus of further risk assessment activities
to ensure that the necessary actions are in place.
2. System component failure
Technical failure is the most frequent cause of accidents and serious incidents. Excluding post‑crash
fires it is also the 2
nd
highest cause of fatal accidents.
3. Mid‑air collision/airprox
Although there has been no major mid‑air collision in Europe in recent years, AIRPROX related
occurrences are the 2
nd
most critical risk area for all non‑fatal accidents and serious incidents in
Europe.