A systematic review of general aviation accident factors, effects and prevention

Abstract

General aviation, which comprises civilian aviation but excludes scheduled airline services and commercial air transport operations, continues to carry a poor safety record with a significantly higher accident rate compared to that of commercial aviation. This systematic literature review examined 46 studies to identify the most prominent causal and contributing factors to fixed-wing general aviation accidents, as well as effective measures to improve safety. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes: Human Factors (26), Training Deficiencies (21), Aircraft Characteristics (13), Pilot Characteristics (11), and Phase of Flight (9). Flight in low visibility conditions, such as instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) or night flight were consistently associated with increased fatality risk. Pilots operating under visual flight rules (VFR) without an instrument rating were especially vulnerable during inadvertent IMC encounters. Training deficiencies were another key factor, especially the lack of recurrent training in emergency procedures. Accident risk was also higher during specific flight phases: take-off, landing, and low-altitude manoeuvring were frequently associated with fatal stall/spin events due to minimal recovery margins. To mitigate these risks, targeted recurrent training is essential. Routine practice with certified flight instructors, alongside the use of approved flight simulators and distance learning, can improve both technical and non-technical pilot proficiency. Future research should investigate improved training methods, including the use of emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, to enhance skill retention and reduce accident rates in general aviation.