The Nation - News from Dec. 12, 1986

Despite an increase in major accidents within the Navy, the nation’s military services combined set an aviation safety record in fiscal 1986, according to the Pentagon, which attributed the record to the introduction of safer planes and helicopters. The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps experienced 162 so-called Class A accidents during the 12 months ending Sept. 30, down from 179 in fiscal 1985 and 212 in fiscal 1982, the Pentagon said. The Navy experienced an increase of 11 accidents compared to fiscal 1985. A Class A accident is one that results in either a fatality or aircraft damage exceeding $500,000.