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NBAA data identifies powerplant failures among key Q2 safety concerns

The National Business Aviation Association’s most recent analysis of business aviation accidents and incidents finds that among six recent fatal accidents included in the study, powerplant system or component failure was the leading occurrence category, cited in two events.

The analysis - which covers the second quarter of 2026, from April through June - examines 66 reportable events, including 42 incidents and 24 accidents. Six accidents were fatal, resulting in 22 fatalities. The fatal accidents involved two business jets, three business turboprops and one turbine helicopter.

Collisions during takeoff or landing were the most frequent accident type overall, with one fatal occurrence and four nonfatal. Runway excursions and powerplant system or component failures followed, with three accidents each.

Bird strikes accounted for 12 of the quarter’s 66 events. Non-powerplant system or component failures followed with 11 events, while powerplant system or component failures accounted for nine.

“NBAA’s quarterly analysis gives the business aviation community a clear and timely understanding of where risks are appearing across the operating environment,” said Mark Larsen, CAM, NBAA director of safety and flight operations. “The Q2 findings reinforce the need for rigorous preflight preparation, disciplined takeoff and landing practices, runway-excursion prevention and close attention to aircraft system and powerplant reliability.”

The report also emphasizes that events not resulting in an accident can still reveal operational hazards. For example, the high number of bird strikes and aircraft system or component failures underscores the value of wildlife-hazard awareness, proactive maintenance, thorough inspections and effective procedures for recognizing and responding to abnormal indications.

“By bringing these events together and examining the patterns behind them, NBAA helps operators turn data into conversations, training priorities and actions that can strengthen safety,” Larsen added.

Launched in Q4 of last year, NBAA’s quarterly Business Aviation Accident and Incident Analysis aims to provide members with a consistent, accessible picture of safety events involving turbine-powered business aircraft. These analyses are updated as additional information becomes available, and are intended to identify trends and areas for further attention, not to assign probable cause.