In the first four weeks of President Joe Biden’s term, the United States experienced twice as many fatal plane crashes as during the same period in President Donald Trump’s second administration, according to federal data analyzed by Fox News Digital.
From January 20, 2021, to February 18, 2021, there were 10 fatal plane crashes in the U.S., as reported by the National Transportation Safety Board’s Case Analysis and Reporting Online (CAROL), a database tracking aviation accidents since 1962. In contrast, there were only four fatal crashes recorded during the same timeframe in Trump’s second administration.
A fifth fatal crash occurred in Georgia on Saturday night; this incident has not yet been included in the database, but it is counted in Fox Digital’s overall tally of five fatal crashes since January 20.
While the count of plane crashes was lower under Trump’s second administration compared to Biden’s first month, the airplane accident in Washington, D.C., in January garnered significant attention due to it being the deadliest incident in the U.S. since November 2001, an American Airlines flight disaster that claimed 265 lives, including those on the ground.
In January, 67 individuals perished when an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines passenger jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Fox News Digital reported that during Biden’s roughly first month in office, fatal crashes occurred in various locations including Janesville, Wisconsin; St. Thomas in the Caribbean; Tehachapi, California; Galt, Missouri; Belvidere, Tennessee; Chitina, Alaska; Hackberry, Louisiana; Port Angeles, Washington; Boynton Beach, Florida; and Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Altogether, these 10 crashes resulted in 18 fatalities.
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The United States witnessed twice as many fatal plane crashes during President Joe Biden’s initial four weeks in office compared to the equivalent period under President Donald Trump’s second administration. (Getty Images)
The five fatal crashes during Trump’s first month occurred in Nome, Alaska; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Charlottesville, Virginia; and Covington, Georgia, claiming a total of 96 lives.
When contrasting the two Trump administrations, Fox News Digital identified 11 recorded fatal plane crashes from January 20, 2017, to February 18, 2017.
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Moreover, during Biden’s initial month, there were seven serious plane crashes (non-fatal) reported, compared to six under the Trump administration, based on CAROL data.
Regarding crashes causing “minor” injuries to passengers, the Biden administration’s first month saw seven such incidents, while only two were recorded during the same timeframe of the second Trump administration, as per the findings of Fox Digital.
A Delta Air Lines aircraft is seen upside down after a crash landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on February 17, 2025. (Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images)
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An additional crash occurred on Monday in Canada, where a Delta Air Lines CRJ-900 jet from Minnesota crashed at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Fortunately, none of the 80 passengers or crew members died, but at least 18 were treated for injuries following the incident, which involved the plane catching fire and flipping upside down.
This Toronto crash surfaced amid reports that Trump’s administration is firing a number of federal employees across various agencies to cut government spending and eliminate corruption and mismanagement, including dismissing employees from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) who were hired in the past year, according to a union representing them.
President Donald Trump listens as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addresses the media at the White House on January 30, 2025. (Alex Brandon/Associated Press)
A U.S. Department of Transportation representative informed Fox News Digital that the agency is still hiring air traffic controllers and professionals focused on aviation safety.
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“The FAA continues its hiring and onboarding processes for air traffic controllers and safety professionals, such as mechanics and supporting roles,” the spokesperson stated. “The agency has preserved employees undertaking critical safety functions.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy remarked on X that his predecessor, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, neglected to address the air traffic controller shortage and modernize the outdated, World War II-era air traffic control system during his four years.
A police boat monitors the area as rescuers attend to the crash site on January 30, 2025, following a midair collision between an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter that crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Here’s the reality: the FAA employs approximately 45,000 people,” he stated. “Fewer than 400 were dismissed, and they were all probationary hires, meaning they had been employed for less than a year. No air traffic controllers or key safety personnel were let go.”
This incident, however, has triggered a wave of criticism from Democrats and liberal media outlets who have directed blame toward Trump.
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“I’m grateful no one was harmed in the Toronto flight incident from Minneapolis, but these alarming occurrences keep happening,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X after Monday’s incident. “In the meantime, Trump is implementing massive layoffs at the FAA—sacrificing safety experts—and compromising our air travel safety. Democrats are working hard to safeguard the flying public.”
