From DC to Arizona: Why are so many planes crashing in 2025?
It started with a deadly midair collision of an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter on Jan. 29 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C. The crash, in which 67 people died, brought greater scrutiny of nationwide air traffic control staffing, crowded airspace at the D.C. airport and past midair near misses, including in Phoenix.
Barely two weeks later, there was a fatal Feb. 10 crash at Scottsdale Airport. A Learjet owned by Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil crashed into a Gulfstream jet. The pilot of the Learjet was killed.
The recent wave of accidents has frightened air travelers, leaving many wondering whether it is safe to fly. Despite the accidents, aviation safety experts say flying is the safest mode of travel, especially on U.S. commercial airlines.
Here's a look at the plane crashes involving U.S. flights in 2025 so far.
A regional CRJ-900 jet crashed while landing and flipped upside down at Toronto Pearson International Airport about 2:45 p.m. Eastern time. The Delta Air Lines flight operated by regional subsidiary Endeavor Air was flying from Minneapolis.
All 80 passengers were evacuated and survived, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating. Early reports suggest windy and snowy conditions may have played a role in the crash.
A Learjet 35A crashed into a parked Gulfstream 200 jet about 2:45 p.m. Arizona time after landing at Scottsdale Airport. An initial statement from the FAA said the Learjet "veered off the runway after landing."
Four people were aboard the Learjet and one was aboard the Gulfstream at the time of the crash, according to the FAA. The pilot of the Learjet, 78-year-old Joie Vitosky, died.
The Learjet is owned by Vince Neil, lead singer of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. A statement from a representative of Neil said he was not aboard the plane at the time of the crash.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. Early reports suggest the Learjet's landing gear failed during landing; the reason for the failure will likely be part of the investigation.
A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft carrying 10 people disappeared while flying from Unalakleet to Nome in Alaska, and the FAA issued a search and rescue alert notice about 3:20 p.m. for the flight operated by Bering Air.
Authorities in Alaska recovered the wreckage of the plane and the bodies of all 10 people onboard.
Officials with the U.S. Coast Guard said radar data showed the plane experienced a rapid loss of altitude and speed. The investigation is ongoing.
A Learjet 55 air ambulance carrying six Mexican nationals crashed in Philadelphia about 6:30 p.m. Eastern time, shortly after taking off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The plane was on its way to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, according to the FAA.
Six people on the plane and one person on the ground were killed, according to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. About 20 people were injured and the impact of the crash damaged nearby homes.
The cause of the crash is unknown. The NTSB's investigation remains ongoing.
A CRJ-700 regional jet from PSA Airlines operating an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, collided midair with an Army Black Hawk helicopter about 9 p.m. Eastern time while approaching the runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
All 67 people aboard both aircraft died.
In a Feb. 14 briefing, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said two key factors might explain why the collision happened:
Data showed key radio transmissions not reaching the crew of the helicopter.
The helicopter flew at an altitude of 278 feet, above the maximum altitude for its flight path. Homendy said the NTSB was not yet sure whether faulty data was responsible for the helicopter crew flying at a higher altitude.
The investigation by the FAA and NTSB is ongoing.
What to know: It's been a week since the deadly Scottsdale plane crash
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com.
Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why are so many planes crashing? What flyers need to know
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