This paper represents the results of a computer study of General Aviation accidents, particularly stall and spin accidents.
In an introductory review, five transportation modes are compared on the basis of deaths per 100,000,000 passenger-miles. Of these, General Aviation has the highest accident rate, and domestic airlines the lowest.
Descriptions of four “stall-related” accident types (stall, spin, spiral and mush) are given. A summary for these four accident types over the years 1965 through 1973 is given for both twin- and single-engine aircraft. The patterns are found to be similar.
Stall/spin accident patterns are reviewed for a group of 31 single-engine aircraft (1965-1973) by: kind of flying, phase of flight, turning flight, airport proximity, weather, daylight, pilot experience and age, stall warning indicator, and cause of accident.
Individual results are presented for the 31 aircraft by make and model. A Chi-Square statistical test shows that some of these aircraft have significantly higher (or lower) stall/spin accident rates than the group mean.
Several recommendations are offered for consideration in improving General Aviation safety.