Aviation accidents occur less and less as the years go by but some of them become more and more tragic and horrendous. Accidents by pilot error in the 1950's were 58. In the 2000's, pilot error so far has accounted for 50 accidents. That involves all types of pilot error including weather related pilot error, mechanical and so forth. Accidents due to mechanical failure, however, are up. In the 1950's, there were 21. So far in the 2000's there have been 28. Of course, more and more is expected of airplanes than in 1950. This in no way leaves the aviation industry off the hook but with progress comes some error. The highest number of accidents occurs on landing but the highest number of fatalities happens during the climb when the planes flaps are up. It is apparent that the aviation industry needs to take a good hard look at the statistics and see what can be done to improve the odds.