Safety in General Aviation
Safe flying in general aviation requires continuous attention, discipline and learning from experience. The EASA Annual Safety Review 2025 provides valuable insight into accidents, trends and safety risks in non-commercial operations with non-complex aircraft. This includes certified light aircraft, Very Light Aeroplanes (VLA) and Light Sport Aeroplanes (LSA) with a maximum take-off mass up to 5,700 kg.
The figures show that 2024 presented a positive safety picture compared with the average of the past ten years. Fatal accidents decreased by around 5% and non-fatal accidents by around 13%. The number of fatalities was also clearly below the ten-year average, while serious injuries reached the lowest level since 2014. This underlines that joint efforts in training, regulation and safety awareness have an effect.
At the same time, the analysis clearly shows where the main risks remain. Accidents occur most often during the landing phase, followed by take-off and en-route flight. Abnormal runway contact and runway excursions dominate the accident picture, highlighting the importance of stable approaches, correct speed management and timely decision-making. Engine failures and loss of control in flight also remain important points of attention.
Most accidents occur during recreational flights, which is especially relevant for flying clubs. The data also shows a clear seasonal pattern, with more accidents during the summer months when flying activity increases. That calls for extra vigilance precisely when routine and favourable weather can lead to underestimating risk.
Based on risk analyses, EASA identifies loss of control and terrain collision as the highest safety risks, even though other events such as airspace conflicts occur more often but are generally less severe. Good preparation, thorough pre-flight planning and mentally rehearsing possible scenarios are essential to reduce these risks.
We make this report available to help our members increase their safety awareness. By studying these findings and translating them into daily flying practice, we jointly contribute to maintaining and improving safety within our club and general aviation as a whole.
EASA Annual Safety Review 2025
Flight Safety - Just Culture
Safety is a shared responsibility within our club. We therefore work according to the principles of Just Culture: an open and fair safety culture in which reporting is encouraged and learning is central.
In this section you will find our safety report logbooks. They share occurrences, deviations, near misses and safety observations reported during or around club flights. The information is intended to highlight risks that may also be relevant to other pilots.
The purpose of these reports is not to assign blame, but to improve our shared safety level. Unintentional mistakes are treated as learning opportunities. Only deliberately reckless or intentionally unsafe behaviour falls outside this approach.
By regularly consulting the safety logbooks:
- you increase your own safety awareness;
- you learn from experiences in our own club environment;
- you help prevent similar situations from recurring.
This approach aligns with modern safety principles supported by EASA and is an important part of good safety management in general aviation.
We encourage all members to report openly and honestly and to actively use the available safety information. Together we ensure that safe flying remains a natural part of every flight.