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This Is the Worst U.S. Airport for Flight Safety, New Study Finds
Salt Lake City International Airport has earned a new title, and it's not one travelers will celebrate. According to a recent flight safety study, the Utah hub ranks as the most incident-prone airport in the country, with a risk score of 95 out of 100.
The report, released by Good Guys Injury Law, analyzed data from federal transportation records and aviation incident databases to determine which of America's busiest airports pose the greatest risks. It evaluated five key indicators: accidents per million passengers, fatal crashes, wildlife strikes, weather risks, and elevation challenges.
Salt Lake City topped the list with a troubling combination of high elevation, over 4,200 feet above sea level, and a record 11 fatal crashes, the most of any U.S. airport in the study. Its 2,903 wildlife strikes and 25 departure accidents highlight additional dangers during takeoff phases, likely exacerbated by its mountainous setting.
Related: 7 Hospitalized at Busy American Airlines Hub, Flight Canceled
Nashville Metropolitan Airport followed closely with a safety risk rating of 93, fueled by seven fatal crashes and a notable number of arrival accidents. Philadelphia International came in third, plagued by 2,430 wildlife strikes annually, which is among the highest in the country.
LaGuardia and Tampa rounded out the top five. While LaGuardia recorded 63 total accidents and nearly 2,000 wildlife strikes, Tampa's ranking was driven by Florida's storm risks and severe weather patterns, giving it one of the highest weather-related safety scores.
Detroit, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Newark also appeared in the top 10, each with their own distinct challenges, from icy conditions to bird migration routes and high-volume operations.
'High-altitude airports like Salt Lake City face operational challenges from both elevation and regional wildlife activity,' the report noted. 'Meanwhile, coastal hubs battle different risk factors like storms or bird corridors.'
Despite the concerning stats, it's important to note that none of these airports are inherently unsafe for commercial passengers. The report's goal is to highlight environmental and operational factors that influence risk—not to discourage travel, but to inform it.
With more than 2.9 million people flying daily across the U.S., flight safety is an ever-evolving equation of engineering, nature, and human oversight. And while most travelers never notice, the data suggests some airports face a tougher battle than others.
Related: Major U.S. Airport Cancels Nearly 400 Flights Amid Busy July 4th Travel
This Is the Worst U.S. Airport for Flight Safety, New Study Finds first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 1, 2025
