AINsight: Loss of Control Inflight Is Leading Killer in Business Aviation | Aviation International News

AINsight: LOC-I Is Leading Killer in Business Aviation

Accounts for 83% of fatalities in the executive/corporate segment

Simulation allows pilots to experience upset training scenarios close to the ground.

By Stuart “Kipp” Lau • Contributor - Safety

October 23, 2026

An independent analysis of NTSB accident records has cast new light on the most pressing issue affecting business aviation safety: loss of control inflight (LOC-I). The results of the study identified LOC-I as a leading killer in every operational segment broadly, while unintended flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) was the most common cause of fatalities in Part 135 rotorcraft operations.

Data shows that runway safety remains a persistent problem. However, the extent of this is harder to quantify because this data spans multiple NTSB accident classifications.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

Contributor - Safety

About the author

Pilot, safety expert, consultant, and aviation journalist Stuart “Kipp” Lau writes about flight safety and airmanship for AIN.

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