2006 was second-safest aviation year ever; Report

LONDON—Last year was the joint second-safest ever for the aviation industry, according to London-based consultancy Ascend.

There were 13 fatal accidents during 2006, compared with just 11 in 2004—the safest year on record, Ascend said in a report.

But the number of passenger deaths in 2006 was "relatively high" at 790, compared with 347 in 2004, according to the report.

Hull and liability losses from accidents to jets and turboprops totaled $1.43 billion, up from $1.33 billion in 2005, according to the report.