This report from IATA is very interesting, highlighting the number of aviation accidents during 2010.

According to the report, 2010 was one of the best in terms of aviation safety, however there was a trend towards runway excursions as being the most common accident type that caused the most fatalities.

Accidents will happen, that’s a part of human nature. It’s encouraging to see that whilst there are still accidents in aviation, in comparison to the number of flights flown in a year, the actual figure is minute. Aviation safety is governed by many regulations and bodies, however only if the company adopts safety as their prime focus such statistics will remain the norm.

A safety management system can only help promote a culture of safety within an organisation that can continue to help reduce the risk of accidents. SMS should be promoted and ingrained in any employee from senior management through the hierarchy of the organisation. An automated solution can help any organisation of any size implement SMS in the knowledge that they will comply with industry regulations as well as engage in a safety culture.