Ground handling risks are rising, and the data shows their impact reaches far beyond the ramp. A well‑implemented SMS helps organisations manage the critical turnaround window with greater foresight, reducing incidents, strengthening resilience and improving performance.
Aircraft turnaround - the most critical 45 min
When we think about aviation safety, we usually think about what happens in the air. Yet every safe flight also depends on the activities completed on the ground, and research from loss adjusters suggests that’s where 64% of worldwide aviation incidents occurred in 2023.
Ground handling events are not limited to visible aircraft damage. Loading errors, unsecured cargo, dangerous goods incidents, incorrect de-icing and other failures can remain undetected until the aircraft is airborne. The fatal Bombardier Challenger 650 accident at Bangor (USA) in January 2026 provides a sobering example. The aircraft received de-icing and anti-icing treatment before departure. The National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report recorded a maximum holdover time of nine minutes under the prevailing conditions. The aircraft began its take-off roll more than 17 minutes after the start of the anti-icing application. All six people on board were killed.
Turnaround is one of the most demanding parts of an aircraft’s operation. Multiple organisations work around the same aircraft within a short timeframe and often under significant operational pressure, creating conditions where small errors can quickly have wider consequences.
The financial impact alone is significant. IATA estimates that the annual cost of aircraft ground damage could nearly double to US$10 billion by 2035 unless preventive action is taken.
There are many other examples with consequences ranging from unplanned aircraft inspections and operational disruption to serious injury or loss of life. The point is not that every ground handling event will lead to an accident. It is that seemingly small issues, if not identified and managed, can become part of a much more serious chain of events.
