Pilotium Editorial Team
10 Nov 2026
EASA's latest review finds European aviation safety stable in 2025 and names the five leading risks in commercial air transport: fire, smoke and pressurisation; aircraft upset; airborne collision; runway collision; and runway excursions.
EASA published its Annual Safety Review 2026 on 22 October, covering the 2025 operational year. The overall message is reassuring: European aviation safety remained stable, with fatal accidents and fatalities at or below the previous 10-year average in almost all areas. But the review also sets out where the risks are concentrated, and that list is worth knowing for every pilot and cabin crew member.
The numbers for commercial air transport (aeroplanes)
One fatal accident, involving an air taxi flight, with eight fatalities
16 non-fatal accidents and 51 serious incidents
17 serious injuries, caused by turbulence, airstair disembarkation, wake vortex encounters, TCAS manoeuvres, emergency evacuations and pushback operations
The five leading risks
Fire, smoke and pressurisation. These events leave little time and need fast, accurate memory items and crew coordination.
Aircraft upset. This covers loss-of-control scenarios, which are why upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) is part of every recurrent cycle.
Airborne collision. TCAS manoeuvres feature in the serious injury list, a reminder that passengers and cabin crew are hurt during sudden avoidance manoeuvres when they aren't seated and strapped in.
Collision on runway. This covers runway incursions, clearance confusion and situational awareness during taxi.
Runway excursions. These usually involve unstable approaches, contaminated runways and late go-around decisions.
What it means in the simulator
These five areas closely match what examiners focus on during proficiency checks: fire and smoke drills, upset recognition, TCAS RAs, runway safety and stabilised-approach discipline. If you have a check or an airline assessment coming up, they are worth revising first.
EASA also held a joint workshop with EUROCONTROL on GNSS interference, a growing issue for crews flying in and around Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Sources: EASA Annual Safety Review 2026, as reported by AirPro News (1 Nov 2026).
