Throughout 2025, a series of aviation incidents have sparked renewed concerns about flight safety in both commercial and private sectors. In late January, a collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight near Washington D.C. drew significant national attention. A few days later, a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia, increasing worries about aviation safety and emergency protocols.
International incidents followed. On June 12, 2025, an Air India flight with over 240 passengers crashed into a medical college hostel in Ahmedabad, India. Subsequently, on July 13, a Beechcraft Super King Air, operating as Zeusch Aviation Flight SUZ1, crashed shortly after departing London Southend Airport, resulting in the deaths of all four people on board. Later in the year, two Delta planes collided while taxiing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, and a UPS cargo plane crashed and caught fire on a runway at Louisville International Airport.
Below is a summary of reports from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and various media outlets on plane crashes and aviation issues in 2025.
Two Delta Air Lines regional aircraft collide at low speed while taxiing at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport.
Although 93 people were involved, only one cabin crew member was injured.
According to reports, Endeavor flight 5155 was taxiing… pic.twitter.com/arYcTw0hGx
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) October 2, 2025
Annual Plane Crash Statistics
The number of annual plane crashes varies. According to CBS News, there have been approximately 250 near-midair collisions involving piloted aircraft over the past two decades. In the last five years, there have been about 385 crashes annually, averaging more than one per day.
Aviation attorney and former U.S. Air Force navigator Jim Brauchle told Newsweek in January 2025 that “probably, on average, every other day, a plane crash occurs somewhere in the United States,” mostly involving non-commercial aircraft.
Plane Crashes in 2025
The National Transportation Safety Board reports 1,306 aviation accidents in 2025, with 249 being fatal and 1,057 non-fatal.
On February 10, Mötley Crüe vocalist Vince Neil’s private plane collided with another aircraft. Neil was not on board, but the pilot was killed. Two days later, a Navy fighter jet crashed into San Diego Bay, with both pilots rescued.
On February 17, a Delta Airlines plane crash-landed in Toronto. All passengers survived. Two days later, two small planes collided midair at Arizona’s Marana Regional Airport.
On March 9, a small plane crashed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, injuring several passengers. The cause remains unknown.
On March 14, a Beech A36 Bonanza crashed near Pitt-Greenville Airport. No survivors were found, though the exact number of fatalities is unclear.
On April 10, a helicopter carrying Siemens CEO Augustin Escobar and his family crashed into the Hudson River, killing all six on board.
On June 12, an Air India flight crashed into a doctor’s hostel in India.
Air Traffic Controller Firings
In January 2025, air traffic controllers were offered buyouts as part of federal workforce changes. The union advised against accepting them. The Office for Personnel Management stated controllers were not included in the resignation plan or hiring freeze.
According to the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union, “several hundred” workers, mostly engineers and technicians, received termination notices on February 14. Many were probationary employees with less than a year of service.
Philadelphia Crash Injuries
The January 31 crash of a Medevac jet in Northeast Philadelphia resulted in at least seven deaths and 19 injuries.
The Learjet 55 crash caused fires and widespread debris, affecting homes and vehicles.
DC Collision Fatalities
On January 29, 2025, an American Airlines jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided near Washington, D.C., resulting in the presumed deaths of all 67 on board.
Recovery teams continued searching the Potomac River for victims and evidence related to the deadliest U.S. air crash in over two decades.
Seattle Crash Incident
On February 5, 2025, a Japan Airlines plane collided with a Delta Airlines aircraft at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. No injuries were reported.
The incident caused temporary flight disruptions. Japan Airlines apologized and stated that an investigation was underway.
Toronto Crash Landing
On February 17, 2025, a Delta Air Lines flight crash-landed in Toronto. All 80 on board survived.
Arizona Midair Collision
On February 19, 2025, two small planes collided midair in Arizona, resulting in one death.
Air India Crash
On June 12, 2025, an Air India flight crashed into a medical college hostel in Ahmedabad, India, with only one survivor out of 242 passengers. A preliminary report indicated fuel switch issues.
Southend Airport Crash
On July 13, 2025, a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air crashed after takeoff from London Southend Airport. All four aboard were foreign nationals. The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating.
