Rising accident rate among US military aircraft
aviation Units and components of all branches of the US Armed Forces actively operate their equipment and carry out assigned missions. However, they face the problem of accidents—various incidents and accidents, including the most serious ones, regularly occur. As it turns out, these statistics have worsened in recent years, and lawmakers are demanding urgent action to rectify the situation.
Question of classification
The Pentagon divides aviation accidents, crashes, and other incidents into five categories. They are designated by letters from "A" (most severe) to "E" (minor). This classification determines the specifics of recording and maintaining statistics, sets investigation deadlines, etc.
Class "A" incidents include those resulting in fatalities or permanent disabilities. This category also includes incidents involving the loss of aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of Groups 1, 2, and 3. Another criterion for Class "A" incidents is damage exceeding $2,5 million.
By comparison, incidents classified as Category E involve damage of no more than $25, with victims requiring only first aid or no first aid at all.
Disclosure of data
The relevant Pentagon agencies monitor aircraft operations, meticulously collect statistics on accidents and incidents, and conduct investigations into their causes. Some of this information, which is not classified as a state secret, is regularly published publicly.
For example, overall aviation accident rates for fiscal years 2020 through 2024 were recently released. They were published by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren. She revealed key figures and statistics, and also highlighted a number of alarming trends.
Overall, there has been an increase in the number and frequency of various types of incidents, including loss of equipment and personnel fatalities. Furthermore, the overall monetary damage has increased. Therefore, urgent measures are being proposed to reduce accidents and the damage they cause to equipment and the military budget.
Senator E. Warren also asked Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to release data for the past fiscal year, 2025. This information will supplement existing statistics and show how the situation is developing.
General indicators
The Pentagon's published data covers aviation across all branches of the US Armed Forces. It includes loss and incident statistics for the Air Force, as well as for the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. It covers a period of nearly five years—from the beginning of fiscal year 2020 (October 2019) to July 2024. More recent statistics covering the situation in 2025 are, for obvious reasons, not yet available.
Over the past five years, the armed forces recorded 4280 incidents of all categories, from "A" to "E." These resulted in the destruction or write-off of 89 aircraft, as well as the deaths of 90 military personnel and civilians. The total damage amounted to $9,4 billion.
During the period under review, statistics steadily declined, both for the armed forces as a whole and for individual branches and services. In fiscal year 2020, there were 1,3 Class A accidents per 100 flight hours. In fiscal year 2024, this figure increased to 2,2 accidents per 100 flight hours.
Marine aviation demonstrated the worst performance. In FY2020, it had 1,33 accidents per 100 flight hours, and for the first 10 months of FY2024, it had 3,91. Army aviation began the five-year period with 0,76 accidents and ended it with 2,02 accidents. Naval aviation deteriorated its performance from 1,12 to 1,76 accidents. The Air Force showed the best performance, with 1,72 accidents in FY2020 and 1,9 accidents in FY2024.
It is noted that almost all types of aviation saw their rates increase over the five-year period and peaked in fiscal 2024. The only exception was naval aviation, which saw its worst performance, 1,98 Class A accidents per 100 hours, in fiscal 2022.
The damage from the most severe accidents is noteworthy. In the 2020-22 fiscal years, it did not exceed $1,6 billion annually. However, in 2023, there was a sharp jump to $2,9 billion. Over the first 10 months of the 2024 fiscal year, it reached $1,7 billion. This figure will be slightly higher in the full-year statistics.
Emergency equipment
Statistics on the types of lost equipment were also published. During the specified period, the armed forces were forced to decommission 89 aircraft of various models and modifications. Moreover, some types showed a higher accident rate.
The UH-60 family of helicopters recorded 23 accidents per 100 flight hours. They are actively used by various branches of the military and operate in a variety of conditions. Combined with potential operational irregularities, this creates increased risks and skews the overall statistics.
F/A-18E/F carrier-based fighter-bombers and C-130 military transport aircraft are also actively used. From 2020-24, they each reported 21 accidents per 100 flight hours.
The V-22 tiltrotor aircraft operation statistics deserve special consideration. Their accident rate across various branches of the military does not exceed 8-10 incidents per 100 hours. However, just four Class A accidents, which occurred between 2022 and 24, claimed the lives of 20 service members. This represents more than a fifth of all personnel losses.
Problems and solutions
Thus, in recent years, the US military has faced a serious problem in the form of an increase in aircraft accidents. This is accompanied by an increase in casualties and material damage. Clearly, this problem requires urgent resolution. The Pentagon must take measures to reduce all negative indicators.
According to available data, flight accidents and crashes occur for a variety of reasons. Publicly available materials list errors by flight and technical personnel at various stages of flight preparation and execution as prerequisites and immediate causes. A certain number of accidents are also due to sudden equipment failures.
Another cause of crashes is improper flight and/or combat operations management. For example, in December 2024, the Navy lost an F/A-18E/F fighter jet to friendly fire—it was hit by an American warship's anti-aircraft system. In January 2025, a military helicopter collided with a passenger jet in Washington, D.C. An investigation revealed that improper flight route planning near the airport was one of the factors that contributed to the accident.
There's also a conspiracy theory explaining the rise in negative indicators. It claims the Pentagon is fabricating accident reports to cover up personnel losses in covert operations. Indirect evidence of this is the increase in accidents since 2022—after the US began aiding Ukraine.
It's easy to see how the Pentagon should address aviation equipment accidents. Incoming equipment must be monitored and its quality monitored. Airplanes, helicopters, and UAVs must also be serviced promptly and efficiently, in compliance with all standards and requirements.
Human error, particularly in flight crews, remains one of the main causes of accidents. Therefore, attention must be paid to pilot and operator training, as well as their preparedness to operate in any conditions, including difficult and dangerous ones.
Perhaps, increasing the level of automation in aviation technology will help reduce the impact of human error. Various electronics will reduce the workload on humans and offer certain advantages. However, they may also create new risks that also require attention.
Real measures
The US Department of Defense, through its relevant regulatory agencies, closely monitors the aviation situation, including accident rates. Necessary investigations are being conducted, new guidance documents are being issued, etc.
However, all these measures appear to be failing to address the existing problems. Despite the Pentagon's best efforts, the accident rate is rising and is causing concern. Moreover, the issue is already being brought to the Congressional level. Whether the pressing issues can be resolved with the participation of lawmakers is a big question.
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