U.S. Military Aircraft Crashes Surge Since 2020
A new analysis of U.S. military aviation incidents reveals a sharp increase in non-combat aircraft crashes from 2020 to 2024, raising serious concerns about pilot readiness and maintenance shortfalls across the armed services. According to a recent article titled “Military Aircraft Crashes Skyrocketed From 2020 to 2024, New Data Shows,” published by SpaceProject.govexec.com, the number of U.S. military aircraft mishaps soared by more than 60 percent in that period, with fatal crashes nearly doubling.
The findings are based on a government watchdog review of publicly available accident records as well as previously undisclosed data from the services. The increase in incidents has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and defense experts, who warn that systemic issues—ranging from maintenance delays and budgetary constraints to limited flight hours for pilots—may be undermining the military’s overall readiness.
While military leaders have acknowledged the uptick in incidents, they cite a combination of aging aircraft fleets and the high operational tempo required by global commitments as contributing factors. The services noted that they are implementing additional training and inspections and investing in readiness initiatives to address the concerns. However, some analysts argue that these measures may not fully mitigate the underlying problems without more significant structural changes.
The SpaceProject.govexec.com report highlights several particularly troubling trends. The Army and Air Force each experienced a marked surge in rotorcraft accidents, while the Navy and Marine Corps reported a spike in fixed-wing aircraft mishaps. In many cases, investigators linked the incidents to human error, mechanical failure, or a lack of adequate flight time for crews—a common issue when pilots and maintainers face operational overextension.
The rise in accidents follows a period of reduced aviation mishaps from 2015 to 2019, during which safety reforms and increased training investments appeared to produce a downward trend. Defense officials are now grappling with how to replicate that success amid current constraints, including tight budgets and recruiting challenges.
Lawmakers on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have voiced concern over the growing number of fatal crashes and have called for additional hearings. Some are proposing bipartisan legislation requiring the military to standardize aviation safety reporting and increase transparency around accident investigations. In the meantime, the Pentagon says it is reviewing incidents across all branches to identify recurring vulnerabilities and improve oversight.
With an increasingly uncertain global security environment, experts say ensuring the safety and reliability of U.S. military aviation assets is essential. As the Department of Defense continues to assess the factors behind the rise in crashes, calls for sustained investment in personnel, training, and maintenance readiness are likely to grow louder in the years ahead.
