Catalogue number ISBN ISSN DOI TO-AA-20-001-EN-N 978-92-9210-222-7 2314-9272 10.2822/147804 Disclaimer Acknowledgements The occurrence data presented is strictly for information purposes only. The authors wish to acknowledge the contribution made by the Member It is obtained from Agency databases comprised of data from ICAO, EASA States to thank them for their support in the conduct of this work and in Member States, Eurocontrol and the aviation industry. It reflects knowledge the preparation of this report. that was current at the time that the report was generated. Whilst every care has been taken in preparing the content of the report to avoid errors, Photocredits the Agency makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the content. The Agency shall not be liable for any kind of damages or istock other claims or demands incurred as a result of incorrect, insufficient or invalid data, or arising out of or in connection with the use, copying or display of the content, to the extent permitted by European and national laws. The information contained in the report should not be construed © European Union Aviation Safety Agency, 2020 as legal advice. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. ANNUAL SAFETY REVIEW 2020 2 FOREWORD BY PATRICK KY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNUAL SAFETY REVIEW 2020 3 FOREWORD BY PATRICK KY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Each year brings us new challenges. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has assessed and matched with effective risk mitigations, resulting in a safety challenged every aspect of life and industry on earth. As restrictions are risk portfolio that will be continuously monitored and refined. eased here in Europe, the economic and human cost of this tragedy is yet to be fully understood. Normally, the aviation system provides a means to The information presented in the Annual Safety Review, together with this connect with those important to us at critical times in their lives. While new work, are integral pieces of safety intelligence that will be used in this function has been significantly interrupted, and many other barriers determining the safety priorities for Europe as set out in the European Plan stop us from meeting up with family and friends, aviation has remained for Aviation Safety (EPAS), which is finalised in the last quarter of each year. a vital method of ensuring that essential medical expertise and supplies are able to be shipped to where they are most needed in the world, often In these uncertain times, in the face of unexpected outcomes, it is recognised using modified passenger aircraft that have been specially certified for that new thinking and approaches are necessary to bolster the European and cargo operations. world aviation system. The past 12 months have not only seen the upheaval that pandemic infection can bring to the world but have also witnessed Even considering these enhanced cargo operations, travel restrictions have the most significant grounding of a passenger aircraft for a generation, meant that aviation, as an industry, as a service, as a means of bringing while 2019 was otherwise one of the safest for aviation in 70 years. The people together, has been amongst the hardest hit sectors of the economy. catastrophic failure and crash of two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with the loss As the initial wave of the pandemic comes slowly under control, EASA is of all those on board, contrasted with the otherwise very good safety data, leading efforts in supporting a return to normal operations (RNO) that has caused some aspects of the system to be critically examined. protects the travelling public, together with airport and airline personnel. The Agency, in defining and coordinating efforts, is supporting the process The European system is fully capable of delivering despite the challenges of connecting people and services while safeguarding health and safety. posed, due in a large part to existing checks and balances. While the future While the crisis is far from over, it is nevertheless necessary to plan for the is challenging, both in the context of the MAX tragedies and the ongoing new normal and look towards resuming our lives, albeit differently. pandemic, these difficulties will be overcome through the cooperative efforts of the EU, Member States and industry working together to protect EU Constructing this new normal will be made easier as a result of the robust citizens and the European way of life. nature of the EASA-led safety management system. The Agency has led work in identifying COVID-19-specific safety issues, based on valuable input from EU industry and national aviation authorities, and the results have been fully integrated into EASA’s RNO project. Using the Agency’s Safety Risk Management Process (SRM), the safety issues are being collaboratively ANNUAL SAFETY REVIEW 2020 4 CONTENTS FOREWORD BY PATRICK KY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ����������������������3 2.4 Specialised Operations Aeroplanes ................................................ 58 Key Statistics ............................................................................................... 58 INTRODUCTION �����������������������������������������������������������������������������14 Phase of Flight ............................................................................................ 59 How the Safety Review is Produced ..................................................... 16 Operation Type ........................................................................................... 60 Information Sources ................................................................................... 16 Propulsion Type .......................................................................................... 60 European Risk Classification Scheme ........................................................ 16 Human Factors and Human Performance ................................................. 61 Analysis and Expert Review ....................................................................... 17 Safety Risks for Specialised Operations Aeroplanes ................................. 63 Chapter Overview ................................................................................. 18 2.5 Non-Commercially Operated Small Aeroplanes ............................. 68 Typical Structure for Each Chapter ....................................................... 20 Key Statistics ............................................................................................... 68 The European Plan for Aviation Safety ................................................ 22 Rates of accidents ....................................................................................... 70 The Safety Risk Management Process .................................................. 23 Phase of Flight ............................................................................................ 71 Operation Type ........................................................................................... 71 CHAPTER 1: CROSS DOMAIN OVERVIEW�������������������������������������25 Human Factors and Human Performance ................................................. 72 1.1 Global Airline Fatal Accidents ......................................................... 26 Safety Risks for Non-commercially Operated Small Aeroplanes .............. 74 1.2 EASA Member States Cross Domain Safety Overview ................... 29 CHAPTER 3: HELICOPTERS �������������������������������������������������������������80 CHAPTER 2: AEROPLANES �������������������������������������������������������������36 3.1 Commercial air transport helicopters ............................................. 82 2.1 Commercial Air Transport – Airlines and Air Taxi – Large Aeroplanes ... 38 Key Statistics ............................................................................................... 82 Key Statistics ............................................................................................... 38 Phase of Flight ............................................................................................ 84 Phase of Flight ............................................................................................ 42 Operation Type ........................................................................................... 84 Operation Type ........................................................................................... 43 Propulsion Type .......................................................................................... 85 Propulsion Type .......................................................................................... 44 Safety Risks for Commercial Air Transport Helicopters ............................. 85 Human Factors and Human Performance ................................................. 45 3.2 Specialised Operations Helicopters ................................................ 90 2.2 Non-commercial Complex Business Aeroplanes ............................ 48 Key Statistics ............................................................................................... 90 Key Statistics ............................................................................................... 48 Phase of Flight ............................................................................................ 92 Phase of Flight ............................................................................................ 50 Operation Type ..........................................................................................