The National Transportation Safety Board census highlights a sharp divide in safety patterns across the state. Indianapolis International, Fort Wayne International, South Bend International, Evansville Regional, and Purdue University Airport handled a combined 12.5% of aviation accidents over the ten-year period. The remaining 119 events occurred at smaller, general aviation facilities that often operate outside the public eye.

Andrew Kryder of The Kryder Law Group, which authored the report, noted that these regional incidents frequently carry higher severity than those at commercial hubs. The findings suggest that residents should look beyond major infrastructure when assessing aviation safety, as the state’s extensive network of smaller airstrips serves as the primary site for civil aviation accidents.