The number of fatalities from business jet accidents worldwide in this year’s first half has already exceeded the total number for all of last year, according to statistics gathered by AIN. In the first six months of this year, 29 people died in seven crashes of U.S.- and non-U.S.-registered business jets compared with 23 people killed in eight mishaps in all of 2013.

N-numbered business jets were involved in four accidents that killed 15 people in the first half of this year versus nine fatalities in three crashes last year. The following U.S. jet models were involved in Part 91 fatal accidents in the first half of 2014 (fatalities shown in parentheses): Challenger 601 (1), Citation I (4), Gulfstream IV-SP (7) and IAI Westwind (3). In January through June last year, two U.S. jet models suffered fatal crashes: a Learjet 60 (2) and two Premier Is (7).

Part 135 charter/air taxi jet operations were involved in just one nonfatal accident in each of the comparable periods. Fractional jet operations under Part 91K had no accidents in the first half of this year versus one in the same time frame last year and also experienced one incident during each period.

Worldwide, turboprops were the only segment of the turbine business fleet that reduced fatal and nonfatal accident numbers over the comparable first halves. In the first half of this year, 16 people died in six crashes involving U.S.-registered Part 91 propjets, compared with 18 fatalities in eight accidents last year that included one operating under Part 135. U.S. turboprops also had fewer nonfatal accidents: seven so far in 2014 (six under Part 91 and one under Part 135) and 12 in the first half of last year (all Part 91 flights).