The year 2025 has already witnessed a number of significant events, ranging from the beginning of President Trump’s second term to the outbreak of the devastating California fires. However, a noticeable pattern seems to be occurring ever since the start of the year, and that is the recent plane crashes. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSD), there have been 87 aviation incidents so far in 2025. These incidents have raised concerns about aviation safety, leaving many to wonder about the future of air travel. Olivia Selander (10) says that “I usually travel by air during the summertime, especially in July.”
On January 29th, an American Airlines regional jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing all sixty-seven passengers involved. The crash happened near Washington, D.C. over the icy Potomac River at around 9 P.M. Eastern time. Officials say that the American Eagle flight, a Bombardier CRJ700, was nearing its destination at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when the crash occurred with the Black Hawk, which was conducting a night flight training. The cause still remains unclear as investigations are still being conducted by officials. This marks the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in nearly twenty-four years (CNN) .
On January 31st, a tragic incident occurred in Northeast Philadelphia when a medical transport jet, Med Jets Flight 056, crashed shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The Learjet 55, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was en route to Tijuana International Airport in Mexico, with a planned refueling stop in Springfield, Missouri. Onboard were six individuals: a pediatric patient, her mother, and four crew members. The aircraft crashed near Roosevelt Mall at Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, striking multiple buildings and vehicles, resulting in fires and explosions. Tragically, all six individuals aboard the plane lost their lives. Additionally, one person on the ground was killed, and at least 24 others were injured, including several critically. The crash caused significant damage to the surrounding area, destroying four homes and damaging seventeen others, along with several businesses (AP News).
On February 6th, a small plane carrying 10 people crashed in Alaska after apparently losing speed and altitude and vanishing from the radar, resulting in the deaths of all ten people on board. The flight was en route from Unalakleet Airport to Nome Airport when it disappeared, and then the wreckage was located the following day (CNN).
On February 17th, Delta Connection Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, crashed while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. An unusual “haze” was reported in the cabin, forcing the aircraft to return to Atlanta. The Bombardier CRJ900 regional jet, en route from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, overturned upon landing, resulting in 18 injuries among the 80 people on board. However, no casualties were reported (CBS News).
With so many plane accidents, communities are deeply affected as they mourn the loss of loved ones. Gavin Esqueda (10) voices that “I think it’s truly tragic and honestly really scary. There’s a bunch of reasons why they could’ve happened, and personally I think there’s too much focus on why it happened. People’s lives were brutally lost and the focus should be concerned on consoling the families rather than arguing over what caused [it] and politicizing it.”
As the year progresses, we can only hope that aviation incidents become less frequent, ensuring that the skies are safe for all travelers. Although air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation, it’s crucial that safety measures and protocols are constantly reviewed and improved to prevent these accidents.
