The safety picture for this year's first quarter was marred by fatal accidents involving two U.S.-registered business jets and three turboprops that killed 16, compared with zero business jet and three turboprop fatal accidents that claimed 12 in the same period last year, according to data compiled by AIN. Preliminary data indicates that all but one of these fatal events occurred during flights operated under Part 91.

On January 2, an Embraer Phenom 300 crashed after the pilot lost control during takeoff from Provo, Utah, in day IMC, killing the pilot and injuring the three passengers. And a sudden in-flight upset of a Bombardier Challenger 300 on March 3 killed a passenger.

U.S.-registered turboprops suffered the same number of accidents in the first quarter versus a year ago, but fatalities increased from 12 to 14. The February 24 crash of a Pilatus PC-12, which broke up in flight and killed all five onboard, was the only U.S.-registered turbine business charter fatal accident in the first quarter.

Non-U.S. registered business jets suffered no reportable accidents in the first quarter, compared with four non-fatal accidents in the same period last year. Meanwhile, non-U.S.-registered turboprops experienced fewer mishaps in the first quarter, but fatal accidents climbed from one to two and fatalities rose from one to three.