A Delta Air Lines jet crashed and flipped upside down while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Feb. 17. Investigators have not yet determined the cause. The crash resulted in no casualties. However, the incident comes amid rising concerns about aviation safety. In 2025, airlines have already experienced two other major commercial plane crashes.
A medical transportation plane crashed in Philadelphia on Jan. 31, killing six people on board and one person on the ground. The aircraft, which carried a child who had just completed treatment for a life-threatening condition, crashed into the ground and exploded. Authorities have not yet determined the cause.
The deadliest plane crash in two decades occurred in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29. A commercial plane and an Army helicopter collided, killing 67 people. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which oversees civil aviation in the United States, has not released any evidence linking the recent crashes to a broader safety issue. However, officials have raised concerns about overworked and understaffed air traffic control systems. As part of a federal workforce reduction strategy, the Trump administration laid off nearly 400 FAA employees. These layoffs occurred after the collision in Washington.
Despite the recent crashes, statistical data indicates that such incidents remain rare. According to CNN, the total number of airplane accidents has decreased compared to previous years. Over the last 15 years, commercial airline fatalities have reached their lowest levels in any comparable timeframe.
Aviation expert and attorney Jason Matzus attributed the recent crashes to coincidence rather than a trend.
“The likely explanation is simply ‘random clustering,’ which occurs when multiple crashes happen over a short period, distorting public perception and creating the false impression that plane crashes are increasing,” Matzus said in an article published by the U.S. Sun.
Plane crash investigations often take over a year to reach conclusions, making it difficult to determine whether aircraft safety is at risk. Air travel remains the safest mode of transportation, while heightened media coverage may contribute to growing concerns about aviation safety.
