Evaluating the Safety Pyramid in Civil Aviation: A Data-driven Assessment of Occurrence Trends across Three South Asian Countries (1990–2023)

Shahadat Hossain; Tawfiqur Rahman

doi:10.30518/jav.1799258

Evaluating the Safety Pyramid in Civil Aviation: A Data-driven Assessment of Occurrence Trends across Three South Asian Countries (1990–2023)

Abstract

This study investigates civil aviation safety trends in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan from 1990 to 2023. It focuses on the reporting of accidents, serious incidents, and incidents using 823 documented occurrences. A descriptive and comparative approach was applied, structured around the safety pyramid model. Data were sourced from open-access aviation databases, including the Aviation Safety Network and the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives, and validated against reports from regional civil aviation authorities. Each record was categorized by event type, country, and fatality status, enabling consistent cross-country comparisons. Visual analysis tools in Microsoft Excel, including time-series and frequency charts, were used to identify reporting patterns. The findings show that India has made significant progress in both safety oversight and reporting accuracy, with a noticeable decline in fatal accident ratios by 2023. Pakistan displayed mixed results with some improvement with inconsistencies and limited documentation of minor incidents. Bangladesh had the most pronounced reporting limitations, with several years reflecting data only on fatal accidents. A notable rise in reported incidents across all three countries after 2015 suggests improved awareness and stronger reporting mechanisms. However, underreporting of non-fatal events remains a concern, especially in Bangladesh and Pakistan. The study emphasizes the need for transparent reporting, and incident documentation to strengthen aviation safety in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Aviation and Aerospace University, Bangladesh

Ethical Statement

This study does not involve human or animal subjects. All data are publicly available and ethically sourced. The authors used ChatGPT (OpenAI) to assist with language editing, paraphrasing, and formatting. All AI-assisted content was critically reviewed to ensure accuracy, originality, and compliance with academic and ethical standards.

Thanks

The authors acknowledge the use of open-access aviation databases and the support of civil aviation authorities in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan for providing essential data. This study includes material adapted from the author’s M.Sc. thesis titled Comparative Analysis of Contemporary Civil Aviation Occurrence Patterns in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India, as part of a master’s degree requirement. The research received funding support from the Aviation and Aerospace University Bangladesh (AAUB).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Air-Space Transportation

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Shahadat Hossain ^*
0009-0004-3165-4805
Bangladesh

Tawfiqur Rahman
0000-0002-4919-2782
Bangladesh

Early Pub Date

February 26, 2026

Publication Date

February 26, 2026

Submission Date

October 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 19, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1799258

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA52UJ96CU

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Hossain, S., & Rahman, T. (2026). Evaluating the Safety Pyramid in Civil Aviation: A Data-driven Assessment of Occurrence Trends across Three South Asian Countries (1990–2023). Journal of Aviation, 10(1), 44-49. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1799258

AMA

1.Hossain S, Rahman T. Evaluating the Safety Pyramid in Civil Aviation: A Data-driven Assessment of Occurrence Trends across Three South Asian Countries (1990–2023). JAV. 2026;10(1):44-49. doi:10.30518/jav.1799258

Chicago

Hossain, Shahadat, and Tawfiqur Rahman. 2026. “Evaluating the Safety Pyramid in Civil Aviation: A Data-Driven Assessment of Occurrence Trends across Three South Asian Countries (1990–2023)”. Journal of Aviation 10 (1): 44-49. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1799258.

EndNote

Hossain S, Rahman T (February 1, 2026) Evaluating the Safety Pyramid in Civil Aviation: A Data-driven Assessment of Occurrence Trends across Three South Asian Countries (1990–2023). Journal of Aviation 10 1 44–49.

IEEE

[1]S. Hossain and T. Rahman, “Evaluating the Safety Pyramid in Civil Aviation: A Data-driven Assessment of Occurrence Trends across Three South Asian Countries (1990–2023)”, JAV, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 44–49, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.30518/jav.1799258.

ISNAD

Hossain, Shahadat - Rahman, Tawfiqur. “Evaluating the Safety Pyramid in Civil Aviation: A Data-Driven Assessment of Occurrence Trends across Three South Asian Countries (1990–2023)”. Journal of Aviation 10/1 (February 1, 2026): 44-49. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1799258.

JAMA

1.Hossain S, Rahman T. Evaluating the Safety Pyramid in Civil Aviation: A Data-driven Assessment of Occurrence Trends across Three South Asian Countries (1990–2023). JAV. 2026;10:44–49.

MLA

Hossain, Shahadat, and Tawfiqur Rahman. “Evaluating the Safety Pyramid in Civil Aviation: A Data-Driven Assessment of Occurrence Trends across Three South Asian Countries (1990–2023)”. Journal of Aviation, vol. 10, no. 1, Feb. 2026, pp. 44-49, doi:10.30518/jav.1799258.

Vancouver

1.Shahadat Hossain, Tawfiqur Rahman. Evaluating the Safety Pyramid in Civil Aviation: A Data-driven Assessment of Occurrence Trends across Three South Asian Countries (1990–2023). JAV. 2026 Feb. 1;10(1):44-9. doi:10.30518/jav.1799258