A list of recent plane crashes and close calls

Apnews - Apr 14th, 2025
Open on Apnews

A tragic small plane crash in New York over the weekend claimed the lives of six individuals, including a physician couple and their children, during a family trip to the Catskills. This incident is part of a troubling trend of aviation mishaps, which have included a deadly collision over the Potomac and various other accidents and near-misses across the U.S. Federal authorities maintain that flying is still the safest mode of transportation, but recent incidents have raised public concern and drawn attention to the aviation industry's safety protocols.

The series of accidents comes at a time when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is experiencing budget cuts, part of President Donald Trump's broader agenda to downsize federal agencies. This has fueled worries about the impact of reduced oversight on aviation safety. The ongoing sequence of aviation tragedies and mishaps underscores the need for rigorous safety checks and may prompt a re-evaluation of federal policies and resource allocations within the FAA to ensure the continued safety of air travel.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging overview of recent aviation incidents, capturing public interest due to its relevance and potential impact on perceptions of air travel safety. While it effectively highlights a series of concerning events, the lack of source attribution and expert analysis limits its accuracy and depth. The narrative could benefit from a more balanced perspective, including insights into safety improvements and regulatory measures. Despite these shortcomings, the article's clarity and readability make it accessible to a wide audience, though it may leave readers seeking further information or expert opinions. Overall, the piece serves as a starting point for discussions on aviation safety but requires additional context and verification to enhance its reliability and impact.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents a series of aviation incidents with specific details, such as the number of casualties and the locations of crashes. However, it requires verification of several claims, such as the identities of victims in the New York crash and the specific circumstances of each incident. The article accurately lists various incidents but lacks in-depth investigation findings or sources that confirm the precise details of each event. For instance, the mention of the Potomac River collision needs corroboration regarding the number of casualties and the cause of the crash. While the overall narrative aligns with known aviation safety concerns, the absence of cited sources or official reports diminishes the factual precision.

6
Balance

The article focuses heavily on aviation disasters and mishaps without providing a balanced perspective on aviation safety improvements or positive developments. It emphasizes the frequency of recent incidents, potentially skewing public perception towards fear of flying without acknowledging that flying remains statistically safe. By not including viewpoints from aviation experts or safety officials, the piece may inadvertently suggest bias towards highlighting negative events. The lack of counterbalancing information, such as advancements in aviation technology or successful safety protocols, limits the range of perspectives presented.

8
Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a straightforward structure that lists incidents chronologically. The language is accessible, making it easy for readers to follow the sequence of events. However, the rapid succession of incidents without deeper context might overwhelm some readers. The tone remains neutral, focusing on reporting facts rather than sensationalizing the events. While the clarity of individual incidents is adequate, the overall narrative could benefit from more context to enhance comprehension.

5
Source quality

The article does not cite specific sources or experts, which affects its credibility and reliability. It lacks attribution to authoritative bodies like the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which would typically provide validated information on aviation incidents. The absence of direct quotes or references from these organizations reduces the article's authority. The reliance on general statements without clear source backing suggests a potential gap in source quality and depth.

4
Transparency

The article does not offer transparency regarding its sources or the methodology behind its claims. There is no disclosure of how the information was gathered or which sources were referenced, leaving readers without a clear understanding of the basis for the claims made. The lack of transparency in the reporting process affects the reader's ability to assess the impartiality and reliability of the information. Additionally, the article does not address potential conflicts of interest or biases that could influence the presentation of the information.

Sources

  1. https://www.fox4news.com/news/deadly-plane-crashes-2025-timeline
  2. https://www.aviationpros.com/airports/news/55275657/spike-in-deadly-us-plane-crashes-in-2025-raises-safety-concerns
  3. https://www.panish.law/aviation_accident_statistics.html
  4. https://www.arnolditkin.com/blog/injury/78-lives-lost-examining-the-surge-in-2025-plane-/
  5. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/aviation-disasters-and-close-calls-have-people-worried-about-flying