Most Michigan Aviation Accidents Occur Outside Major Airports

The Kryder Law Group’s review of 179 total incidents highlights a stark divide in aviation safety geography. During the ten-year period, major commercial service airports recorded only 24 accidents. In contrast, the state’s remaining 196 smaller public-use facilities, including general aviation airfields and heliports, accounted for 155 crashes.

Andrew Kryder, an attorney with the firm, noted that the public often misperceives the typical setting for a plane crash. By shifting the focus toward smaller airfields, the report aims to clarify where aviation risks actually manifest across the state’s 211 total facilities. This distinction serves as a reminder that safety priorities and accident investigations must account for the specific operational realities of general aviation, which operates under different conditions than large-scale passenger terminals.