In a staggering revelation, internal Pentagon data has shown a 55% increase in severe military aircraft accidents in 2024 compared to four years prior, with the Marine Corps facing almost a threefold increase in mishaps. This alarming trend has continued into 2025, prompting calls for urgent action from lawmakers.
The data, which tracked Class A mishaps—accidents leading to death or permanent disability—was released to Congress and highlights growing concerns about the safety of military aviation.
Senator Elizabeth Warren has been at the forefront of the push for accountability, stating that the rising accident rates “demand action.” She emphasized the necessity of legislative changes to improve the accessibility of accident reports to help identify root causes and prevent future tragedies.
Analysis of the data suggests that the increase in accidents cannot be attributed to a single factor but rather a combination of issues. Aviation experts have pointed to heightened operational demands, the introduction of riskier aircraft models like the V-22 Osprey, and pandemic-related flight hour reductions as contributors to the dangerous trend.
Specific aircraft have been identified as particularly prone to accidents. The Osprey has been singled out in previous reports for its safety concerns. Additionally, during the 2024 budget year, the Apache helicopter was involved in approximately 4.5 times more severe accidents compared to four years earlier, with other models like the C-130 transport plane also showing alarming increases.
The statistics cover budget years from 2020 through 2023 and included data from the first ten months of the 2024 fiscal year, during which 25 service members and Defense Department civilians lost their lives in aviation incidents.
Amidst rising fatalities, Warren's office is seeking detailed information on military aviation mishaps from 2019 to 2025, including lesser-known accidents categorized as Class B and C. This request aims to uncover the full scope of safety issues and improve training protocols for aircrews and maintenance personnel.
The uptick in accidents includes several high-profile incidents already reported in 2025. A devastating collision between an Army helicopter and a passenger jet in January resulted in 67 fatalities. Another trio of Navy crashes involved aircraft losing control on carriers during operations, illustrating the urgent need for systemic reforms in military aviation safety.
As experts warn that the increasing demands on military pilots and the lapsed flying time during the pandemic could be significant risk factors, there’s a growing realization that without immediate intervention, operational safety may continue to decline.
With the Pentagon yet to respond to these alarming trends, Warren and her colleagues stress the importance of quickly addressing the underlying issues contributing to this epidemic of military aviation accidents.
