Preliminary data shows that last year 53 people were killed in 11 business-jet accidents worldwide versus eight crashes with 23 fatalities in 2013. While fatal accidents involving U.S.-registered business jets held steady at six each for 2014 and 2013 (all under Part 91 for both years), the number of fatalities climbed to 30 (including three people on the ground) from 17 in 2013.

While the total number of accidents involving non-U.S.-registered business jets was unchanged at nine, the number of fatal accidents last year rose to five from two in 2013 and fatalities last year nearly quadrupled to 23 from six in 2013. Not included in these statistics were at least five stolen business jets on illegal flights in South America that were destroyed by military forces last year.

In sharp contrast to the business jet accident statistics, business turboprop fatal accidents and fatalities worldwide dropped last year compared with 2013. According to the data, 16 accidents claimed 59 lives last year versus 27 crashes resulting in 87 deaths in 2013. Last year, U.S.-registered turboprops were involved in nine mishaps resulting in 24 fatalities, including three on the ground, in contrast to 15 crashes and 45 deaths in 2013. All of the U.S.-registered turboprop accidents in 2014 happened under Part 91. In 2013, two accidents and five deaths happened to turboprops operating under Part 135.