For decades, the aviation industry has focused intently—and successfully—on reducing in-flight accidents. From advanced cockpit technology to more rigorous pilot training and implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS), these efforts have often paid off. Until the tragic mid-air collision in January 2025 over Washington, D.C., the U.S. had gone 16 years without a mass fatality commercial airline accident. While the industry has much to be proud of in creating a safer private aviation experience, the threat of rising ground incidents cannot be ignored.
Ground Incidents Are on the Rise
A recent report from Global Aerospace reported that global loss-adjusting company McLarens estimates that as of 2023 “64% of worldwide aviation incidents (excluding light aircraft) occurred on the ground.” The term “ground incident” covers a wide range of scenarios—aircraft colliding with vehicles or other aircraft on the ramp, “hangar rash” during towing operations, runway incursions, accidental foam discharges, and damage caused by severe weather. Ground-based losses are no less costly or dangerous than in-flight events.
In many cases, they come with high price tags due to:
- Repair costs for composite materials
- Extended downtime during repairs due to supply chain shortages
- Costs for temporary replacement aircraft
- Rising aircraft and engine values
- Legal exposure from social inflation and nuclear verdicts
For operators and insurers alike, the consequences are significant. And with airline traffic back to pre-pandemic levels, the risks are only multiplying.
What’s Driving the Increase?
Several systemic challenges are fueling the rise in ground-based claims:
- Workforce Issues: Post-COVID the labor market has left aviation short-staffed and struggling to retain experienced ground crew.
- Aging Infrastructure: Many airports were not designed to handle today’s traffic volumes.
- Severe Weather: The increasing risk of extreme weather events.
- Cost and Time Pressure: Rushing or bypassing procedures increases risk.
A Gap in the Safety Net
Global aviation safety standards are largely shaped by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Its Annex 19 lays out SMS requirements, but these apply only to a select group of industry participants—such as approved training organizations, maintenance facilities, certified aerodromes, and aircraft operators. Notably absent? Many of the ground handling service providers most responsible for ramp safety. This regulatory blind spot leaves a wide swath of the aviation ecosystem operating without a structured, mandated approach to risk management—despite being directly involved in critical operations.
The Case for Expanding SMS on the Ground
A solution already exists—one that’s proven to work in other parts of aviation. Safety Management Systems (SMS) provide the framework to identify hazards, manage risks, and build a culture of continuous improvement. Many aviation safety leaders, including ACSF, advocate for expanding SMS participation across all airport and ground operations. The key is collaboration. No SMS operates effectively in isolation. Airports, operators, and ground handlers must align on safety
protocols, share near-miss data, and actively monitor risk trends together.
ACSF’s Perspective: Safety Must Be Organization-Wide
At the Air Charter Safety Foundation, we believe that Safety Management Systems must go beyond the flight deck. A truly effective SMS program must include every department, from flight operations and maintenance to ground handling and customer service. Safety is not confined to one team—it’s the responsibility of the entire organization. Too often, ground operations and support functions are treated as peripheral to SMS participation. But the data is clear: ground-based risks are growing, and they must be managed with the same discipline and rigor as flight-related hazards. That’s why ACSF encourages operators, FBOs, and support service providers to take an active role in both SMS and the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). These tools are proven to reduce risk, build stronger safety cultures, and foster transparency—especially when reporting systems include everyone who touches the aircraft, directly or indirectly. We believe that expanding SMS participation across all departments and welcoming more FBOs and ground service providers into programs like ASAP is critical to closing safety gaps. As safety expectations evolve, so too must our commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement.
What’s at Stake?
The cost of inaction is steep—both financially and in human terms.
- Ground incidents can cause injuries, fatalities, and millions in damage
- Operational disruptions ripple across the system.
- Insurance premiums rise.
- The industry risks losing the safety gains it’s worked so hard to build.
Where Do We Go From Here?
At ACSF, we are committed to safeguarding the people and valuable assets of operators and FBOs by fostering a culture of safety and vigilance in all ramp and ground operations. Through collaboration with the industry, we aim to reduce risks by developing educational resources, sharing lessons learned, and creating actionable best practices.
As we prepare to launch our Ground Operations Working Group, we’re looking for volunteers and input from across the industry. Please take a moment to complete the short survey below to help guide our direction and express your interest in participating.
