TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Develop, validate, and implement a single, unbiased method for generating activity data for all Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 certificate holders, either through mandatory reporting or some other means, to include the identification of activity by certificate type (air carrier or operating), operating authority (on-demand or commuter) and scope (standard, basic, single-pilot, or single-pilot-in-command).
Safety Issue and Context
This report discusses the National Transportation Safety Board’s review of the investigation reports for the 116 fatal accidents and 460 nonfatal accidents involving flights operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 that occurred from 2010 to 2022.
The safety issues identified in this report include operational control and flight-locating deficiencies that can be addressed by using certificated dispatchers; weight and balance concerns with single-engine aircraft operations that can be addressed by using a load manifest; and the importance of organizational risk management strategies, such as an appropriately scaled safety management system and a flight data monitoring program. This report also addresses needed improvements in the collection and reporting of aircraft accident and flight activity data. Three recommendations are made to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In addition, two previously issued recommendations to the FAA are reiterated, and two previously issued recommendations to the FAA are classified Closed—Acceptable Action.
Response History
August 27, 2025 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
We understand that you agree with the intent of these recommendations and that you are evaluating potential solutions. We also note that you intend to update us with your findings and a more detailed plan by the end of this year. Pending our review of this additional information and completion of the recommended actions, the Board has voted to classify Safety Recommendations A-24-17 and -19 OPEN-- ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.
November 4, 2024 · Recipient Response · FAA
-From Michael G. Whitaker, Administrator: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) agrees that Part 135 operational control and flight-locating, and valid flight activity data for different segments of Part 135 are essential for enabling comparisons of accident rates for different types of operations and tracking industry growth. We are currently evaluating appropriate actions to take regarding these two safety recommendations, and will keep the Board informed of our plans and progress.
I anticipate providing an update to Safety Recommendations A-24-17 and -19 by November 30, 2025.
August 9, 2024 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
The attached letter from the NTSB Chair provides information about the July 24, 2024, report Special Investigation Report, Safety and Industry Data Improvements for Part 135 Operations (NTSB/AIR-24-03). The details of this accident investigation and the resulting safety recommendations may be found in the attached report, which can also be accessed at
The NTSB is vitally interested in these recommendations because they are designed to prevent accidents and save lives. We would appreciate a response within 90 days of the date of this letter detailing the actions you have taken or intend to take to implement these recommendations. When replying, please refer to the safety recommendations by number (for example, Safety Recommendations A-24-17 through -19, reiterated Safety Recommendations A-16-34 and A-16-35, and classified Safety Recommendations A-16-36 and A-22-15). We encourage you to submit your response to ExecutiveSecretariat@ntsb.gov.
If your reply exceeds 20 megabytes, including attachments, please e mail us at the same address for instructions on how to send larger documents. Please do not submit both an electronic copy and a hard copy of the same response.
This letter provides information about the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) July 24, 2024, report Special Investigation Report, Safety and Industry Data Improvements for Part 135 Operations (NTSB/AIR-24-03). The details of this special investigation and the resulting safety recommendations may be found in the attached report, which can also be accessed at http://www.ntsb.gov.
As a result of this investigation, we identified the following safety issues:
• the need for certificated dispatchers for all Part 135 operators except single-pilot and single-pilot-in-command operators.
• the need for aircraft load manifest and recordkeeping requirements to apply to all aircraft operated under Part 135.
• the need for safety management system (SMS) and flight data monitoring (FDM) program requirements for all Part 135 operators.
• the need for guidance to help small operators scale an SMS, as appropriate for their operations.
• the need for accident and incident data collection improvements related to Part 135 certificate information for operators involved in accidents or incidents.
• the need for accurate flight activity data for the various segments of Part 135 operations.
Accordingly, the NTSB makes the following safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Additional information regarding these recommendations can be found in the noted sections of the report.
• Require all Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operators, except single-pilot and single-pilot in command (PIC) operators, to use certificated dispatchers who hold joint responsibility with the PIC for the safety and operational control of flights and whose responsibilities include preflight planning; flight dispatch, release, and cancellation decisions; and flight monitoring, consistent with the requirements for 14 CFR Part 121 domestic and flag operations. (A 24 17) (See section 2.2.)
• Expand the applicability of the load manifest and recordkeeping requirements of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 135.63(c) to include 14 CFR Part 135 single engine aircraft operations. (A-24-18) (See section 3.2.)
• Develop, validate, and implement a single, unbiased method for generating activity data for all Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 certificate holders, either through mandatory reporting or some other means, to include the identification of activity by certificate type (air carrier or operating), operating authority (on-demand or commuter), and scope (standard, basic, single-pilot, or single PIC). (A-24-19) (See section 5.2.)
In addition, the NTSB reiterates the following recommendations to the FAA:
• Require all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operators to install flight data recording devices capable of supporting a flight data monitoring program. (A-16-34)
• After the action in Safety Recommendation A-16-34 is completed, require all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operators to establish a structured flight data monitoring program that reviews all available data sources to identify deviations from established norms and procedures and other potential safety issues. (A 16 35)
In the same report, we also classified the following safety recommendations:
• Require all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operators to establish safety management system programs. (A-16-36)
• Develop guidance for small operators for scaling a safety management system that includes methods and techniques for implementation and specific examples applicable to several operational sectors, including air tours. (A-22-15)
Safety Recommendations A-16-36 and A-22-15 are classified Closed—Acceptable Action in section 4.1 of the report.
The NTSB is vitally interested in these recommendations because they are designed to prevent accidents and save lives. We would appreciate a response within 90 days of the date of this letter, detailing the actions you have taken or intend to take to implement these recommendations. When replying, please refer to the safety recommendations by number (Safety Recommendations A-24-17 through -19, reiterated Safety Recommendations A-16-34 and A-16-35, and classified Safety Recommendations A-16-36 and A-22-15). We encourage you to submit your response to ExecutiveSecretariat@ntsb.gov.
If your reply, including attachments, exceeds 20 megabytes, please e mail us at the same address for instructions on how to send larger documents. Please do not submit both an electronic copy and a hard copy of the same response.