The cost of general aviation accidents in the United States

Very few studies examine the costs associated with general aviation accidents. Given the large number of general aviation operations as well as the large number of fatalities and injuries attributed to general aviation accidents in the United States, understanding the costs to society is of great importance. This study estimates the costs associated with general aviation accidents in the United States. The direct costs are estimated and the indirect costs are estimated via the human capital approach in addition to the willingness-to-pay approach. The average annual accident costs attributed to general aviation are found to be $1.64 billion and $4.64 billion (2011 US$) utilizing the human capital approach and willingness-to-pay approach, respectively. These values appear to be fairly robust when subjected to a sensitivity analysis.

► The costs associated with general aviation accidents in the US are estimated.
► The willingness-to-pay and human capital approaches are utilized.
► General aviation accident costs average between $1.64 and $4.64 billion (2011 US$).