The Aviation Safety Network (ASN) has released a comprehensive list of countries with the most fatal commercial aircraft accidents since 1945. The real-time data excludes military, private jets, hijackings, and other criminal-related incidents.
Among the most notable incidents were the 1974 Turkish Airlines (TK) crash in Paris (CDG) and the 1977 Tenerife (TFN) disaster involving KLM (KL) and Pan Am (PA), the deadliest aviation accident in a single location, resulting in 583 fatalities.
Photo: Aviation A2ZCountries with the Highest Plane Crashes
This article ranks the top 10 countries with the most fatal commercial aircraft accidents since 1945, based on Aviation Safety Network data, including United Airlines (UA) and Aeroflot (SU) incidents.
It explores accident counts, fatalities, and key crashes like the 1977 Tenerife (TFN) disaster.
Photo: Air Crash Investigation10. India
- Number of Accidents: 95
- Investigation Agency: Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
- Most Fatal Accident: Mid-air collision of Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV) Flight 763 and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907 near Charkhi Dadri, Delhi (DEL), on November 12, 1996, killing 349
India has recorded 95 fatal commercial aircraft accidents since 1945, with 2,352 fatalities.
The 1996 Charkhi Dadri collision, one of the deadliest mid-air crashes, exposed coordination issues in air traffic control.
Until 2012, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) handled investigations, but the AAIB now leads, aligning with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for independent probes.
India’s ranking reflects its growing aviation market, but safety improvements have reduced accident rates in recent decades.
Photo: By Eddie Maloney from North Las Vegas, USA – N858AM, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=318790059. Mexico
- Number of Accidents: 102
- Investigation Agency: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC)
- Most Fatal Accident: Aeromexico (AM) Flight 453 crash near Benito Juarez International Airport, Mexico City (MEX), on July 15, 2014, killing 110
Mexico has seen 102 fatal accidents, resulting in 1,287 deaths. The 2014 Aeromexico crash near Mexico City highlighted runway safety challenges.
The DGAC oversees investigations, focusing on identifying causes and recommending preventive measures. Mexico’s aviation sector has faced scrutiny for aging infrastructure, but modern safety protocols have improved its record.
Photo: By National Transportation Safety Board – https://www.ntsb.gov/about/documents/spc1001.pdf, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1462050868. France
- Number of Accidents: 105
- Investigation Agency: Bureau d’Enquętes et d’Analyses pour la Sécurité de l’Aviation Civile (BEA)
- Most Fatal Accident: Air France (AF) Flight 447 crash in the Atlantic Ocean en route from Rio de Janeiro (GIG) to Paris (CDG) on June 1, 2009, killing 228
France has recorded 105 accidents with 2,246 fatalities. The Air France Flight 447 disaster, caused by pilot error and sensor issues, prompted global changes in pilot training.
The BEA, a leading investigative body, works to establish accident causes and propose safety enhancements, contributing to France’s robust aviation safety framework.
Photo: Air Crash Investigation7. Indonesia
- Number of Accidents: 106
- Investigation Agency: National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC/KNKT)
- Most Fatal Accident: Adam Air Flight 574 crash off Sulawesi on January 1, 2007, killing 102
Indonesia has had 106 accidents, claiming 2,305 lives. The 2007 Adam Air crash led to the airline’s ban due to poor safety practices.
The NTSC investigates all transportation incidents, aiming to enhance safety across Indonesia’s vast archipelago, where challenging geography and rapid aviation growth pose risks.
Photo: Daily Mirror6. United Kingdom
- Number of Accidents: 110
- Investigation Agency: Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)
- Most Fatal Accident: British European Airways Flight 548 crash near Staines, London (LHR), on June 18, 1972, killing 118
The UK, with 110 accidents and 1,298 fatalities, holds Europe’s highest crash count. The 1972 British European Airways crash revealed issues with pilot training and aircraft design.
The AAIB, under the Department for Transport, conducts thorough investigations to prevent future incidents, bolstering the UK’s aviation safety reputation.
Photo: By FAA – https://lessonslearned.faa.gov/ll_main.cfm?TabID=1&LLID=43&LLTypeID=2, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=910337535. Colombia
- Number of Accidents: 185
- Investigation Agency: Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil)
- Most Fatal Accident: American Airlines (AA) Flight 965 crash near Cali (CLO) on December 20, 1995, killing 159
Colombia has recorded 185 accidents, with 2,932 fatalities. The 1995 American Airlines crash, caused by navigational errors, underscored the need for better terrain awareness systems.
Aerocivil investigates accidents, collaborating with international agencies like the NTSB for incidents involving foreign aircraft.
Photo: Unknown4. Canada
- Number of Accidents: 191
- Investigation Agency: Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB)
- Most Fatal Accident: Air Canada (AC) Flight 797 fire in Cincinnati (CVG) on June 2, 1983, killing 23
Canada has had 191 accidents, resulting in 1,800 fatalities. The 2015 Air Canada (AC) skid in Halifax (YHZ) injured 25, reflecting ongoing runway safety concerns.
The TSB, an independent agency, investigates air, rail, marine, and pipeline incidents, emphasizing prevention through detailed reports.
Photo: By Milton Mansilha – Agęncia Brasil, CC BY 3.0 br, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24268593. Brazil
- Number of Accidents: 193
- Investigation Agency: Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA)
- Most Fatal Accident: TAM Airlines (JJ) Flight 3054 crash in Sao Paulo (CGH) on July 17, 2007, killing 199
Brazil ranks third with 193 accidents and 2,740 fatalities. The 2007 TAM Airlines crash, caused by runway conditions and pilot error, led to stricter safety regulations.
CENIPA, under the Brazilian Air Force, focuses on accident prevention, aligning with ICAO standards since its 1971 establishment.
Photo: Omsk Regional Court Archives2. Russia
- Number of Accidents: 544
- Investigation Agency: Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC/MAK)
- Most Fatal Accident: Aeroflot (SU) Flight 3352 crash at Omsk Airport (OMS) on October 11, 1984, killing 178
Russia has recorded 544 accidents, with 8,505 fatalities. The 1984 Aeroflot crash highlighted ground operation risks.
The IAC, overseeing former USSR states, faces potential dissolution, with plans for a new International Bureau under the Eurasian Union to ensure ICAO-compliant investigations.
Photo: By Michael Laughlin of Toronto, Ontario, Canada (amateur photographer). Laughlin was on an O’Hare observation deck and took several photographs that were cited in the media. See http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-chicagodays-flight191-story,0,4407421.story for reference. – http://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-110823-flight-191-memorial-pictures-photogallery.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81220441. United States
- Number of Accidents: 870
- Investigation Agency: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
- Most Fatal Accident: American Airlines (AA) Flight 191 crash in Chicago (ORD) on May 25, 1979, killing 273
The United States leads with 870 accidents and 10,846 fatalities, reflecting its high air traffic volume.
The 1996 TWA (TW) Flight 800 crash off New York (JFK) killed 230, prompting extensive investigations.
The NTSB, a global leader in crash probes, collaborates internationally for U.S.-related incidents, driving safety improvements.
Photo: Japan AP NewsSafety Improvements
Despite high accident counts, global aviation safety has improved significantly. Fatal accidents have declined since the 1950s, with 2023 marking the lowest accident rate in history at 0.80 per million flights.
Advances in technology, such as jet engines and glass cockpits, alongside rigorous pilot training and safety management systems, have reduced risks.
However, challenges persist, including conflict zone risks and human error, which contribute to most accidents.
Data-driven approaches, like IATA’s Global Aviation Data Management, continue to enhance safety worldwide.
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The post Top 10 Countries With Highest Fatal Plane Crashes in History appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
