Twenty-one organizations representing hundreds of thousands of general aviation and business pilots have sent a letter to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) asking the panel to "publicly convey that general aviation is one of the safest modes of transportation in the United States."
The Sept. 23 letter, which was signed by AOPA, referenced data supplied by the NTSB to NBC Nightly News for a story regarding a recent aviation accident. According to the aviation groups, the information provided to NBC led to an inaccurate portrayal of GA safety. The groups also noted that U.S. Department of Transportation statistics show that from 2008 to 2014 there were 277,310 automobile accident fatalities; 38,343 fatalities on motorcycles; 5,561 on bicycles; 5,831 fatalities in recreational boating accidents; and 3,628 in general aviation accidents.
The letter noted that, not only is general aviation a safe mode of transportation, but also that more people—5,159 between 2008 and 2014—die from falling out of bed than are killed in private and business flying.
In addition to AOPA, the letter was signed by the Aeronca Aviators Club, Aircraft Electronics Association, Bellanca-Champion Club, Cardinal Flyers Online LLC, Cessna Pilots Society, Commemorative Air Force, Experimental Aircraft Association, Flying Dentists Association, Flying Physicians Association, International Council of Air Shows, International 180/185 Club, Lancair Owners and Builders Organization, Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, Malibu/Mirage Owners & Pilots Association, Mooney Summit, National Agricultural Aviation Association, National Association of State Aviation Officials, National Business Aviation Association, Recreational Aviation Foundation, and Sonex Builders and Pilots Foundation.