Most Indiana Plane Crashes Happen Away from the State's Major Airports

INDIANAPOLIS - Sept. 16, 2026 - PRLog -- The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, today released a report on aviation accidents across Indiana, finding that the state's largest commercial airports account for only a small share of reported crashes. The overwhelming majority happened at regional runways, general aviation fields, and private airstrips spread throughout the state.

Drawing on the National Transportation Safety Board's census of U.S. civil aviation accidents from 2016 through 2025, the report identified 136 total events. The split is clear.

• Indiana's five commercial service airports, Indianapolis International (IND), Fort Wayne International (FWA), South Bend International (SBN), Evansville Regional (EVV), and Purdue University Airport (LAF), recorded 17 accidents (or about 12.5% of the total).
• Every other airport combined recorded 119 accidents (or roughly 87.5%).

That contrast reshapes how residents might think about aviation risk. The airports most people picture handle about one in eight reported events, while the wider general aviation network carries nearly all the rest.

"The data is unambiguous—regional airports and smaller airstrips account for the overwhelming majority of aviation accidents in Indiana, and these incidents are often far more severe than what occurs at a major commercial hub," said Andrew Kryder, Esq. "These crashes happen in communities across the state, away from the spotlight, and the families left dealing with the consequences deserve real answers, strong advocacy, and full accountability."

The firm hopes the findings give Indiana communities a clearer picture of where aviation risk actually concentrates. Commercial service airports and general aviation fields serve very different purposes, and understanding that distinction matters when residents weigh safety trends across the state.

Publication: The Rural Runway: Truth Behind Indiana's Plane Crashes

About The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers

The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, represents individuals injured due to negligence. Our Indiana plane crash lawyers fight for justice for victims and promote greater public awareness of safety data. We help families navigate the complexities of plane crash cases and will work to secure the compensation you deserve. Injuries hurt; that's why we make the legal process painless.