As private and business aviation evolve into increasingly complex ecosystems, operational safety is drawing attention in areas that have historically received less scrutiny. According to the newly released 2025 Annual Safety Report from Nimbl, ground operations now account for a significant share of reported safety events, an insight with operational and financial implications across the business aviation sector.

Drawing from thousands of anonymized submissions across its global customer base, Nimbl’s report found that over 50% of incidents occurred during ground handling or aircraft approach. Many of these events involved third-party personnel, reinforcing the interconnected nature of modern aviation and the need for broader accountability beyond the cockpit.

The findings suggest that the conversation around business aviation safety is expanding. Once focused almost exclusively on in-flight systems and crew protocols, safety efforts are increasingly influenced by what happens on the ramp, in hangars, and during handoffs between operators, vendors, and facilities.

Nimbl’s report breaks down submissions by category, examining procedural gaps, facility issues, towing operations, aircraft system behavior, and human error. While the departments reporting these events varied in size and structure, common themes emerged, particularly the role of third parties in avoidable incidents.

For operators and flight departments managing complex schedules and high-performance aircraft, the data underscores the importance of proactive risk tracking. Even minor missteps on the ground can lead to schedule disruptions, added maintenance cycles, and reduced asset availability. These are problems that compound in time-sensitive operations.

Formerly known as AviationManuals, Nimbl provides an integrated platform combining Safety Management Systems (SMS), digital manuals, and compliance tools tailored for business aviation. With over 4,000 operators supported globally, the company positions its annual report as both a benchmarking resource and a prompt for broader discussion around safety culture and collaboration.

As aircraft operations become faster and more decentralized, Nimbl’s data suggests that sustainable safety improvements will depend not just on the quality of flight crews or hardware, but on system-wide consistency, from maintenance teams and ground support to administrative oversight.