Lately, it seems like every time you check the news, another plane is going down. From midair collisions to runway disasters, aviation incidents have dominated headlines this past month. Is air travel suddenly more dangerous, or are we just paying more attention because of a few high-profile crashes?
Let’s break down some major incidents that have been making waves and then put things into perspective.
Since the beginning of 2025, several notable aviation incidents have occurred, including midair collisions and ground accidents involving aircraft. Here are some of the most significant events:
On January 29, 2025, an American Airlines passenger jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft, marking the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001. Initial investigations revealed that just a day before the collision, another jet had narrowly avoided a helicopter near the same airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported “not normal” staffing levels at the air traffic control tower during the incident. Recovery efforts are ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the tragedy.
Earlier in January, a fiery plane crash occurred in Philadelphia, resulting in multiple fatalities. Details about the incident are still emerging, and investigations are underway to determine the cause.
On February 5, 2025, a Japan Airlines aircraft collided with a parked Delta Air Lines jet at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The wing of the Japan Airlines plane sliced into the tail of the Delta jet, causing significant damage. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries among the crew or passengers. The incident occurred while the Delta aircraft was in sequence for deicing and the Japan Airlines plane was taxiing. The FAA is currently investigating the collision.
On February 17, 2025, a Delta Air Lines jet flipped over while landing at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. The CRJ-900LR jet, carrying 76 passengers and four crew members from Minneapolis, was attempting to land on a dry runway amidst snowy conditions and winds gusting up to 40 mph. All 80 people on board survived with minor injuries. Eighteen passengers were hospitalized, with one pediatric patient taken to SickKids Hospital and two adults to other hospitals. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation into this incident.
With all these incidents piling up, it’s easy to assume something is wrong in the aviation industry, but the reality is different. Air travel has always come with its risks, but commercial aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation. Most flights take off and land with no issue, and this recent Washington D.C. tragedy was the first fatal incident in the US since 2009.
So why does it feel like there’s been a sudden increase in crashes? It’s largely a matter of media attention. The Washington D.C. collision was a major event, and once the spotlight was on aviation, every subsequent incident received more coverage than it might have otherwise. It’s the same phenomenon as when a big earthquake hits, and suddenly, every tremor is reported on.
Social media and the internet don’t help in this regard. With everyone able to access all the information they want with a few clicks on a screen, the side effect of this is increased awareness, which can lead to more anxiety or concern about a topic that hasn’t changed over the years — just the awareness of it.
Barlow’s own resident plane expert, social studies teacher, and flight club instructor Ben Bailey, weighs in. “It’s not a good month,” he says, “but overall it’s no different than usual.” He concedes that there are current issues in the aviation world, such as the air traffic control shortage due to underpaid workers and long training times, but that overall, aircraft travel is no less safe, especially commercially.
