Ahmmmm,,, as a "small plane" pilot,, we do NOT crash very often, if we did, it would not make the news, much like all the car crashes that never make the news.
I don't know about relative to car crashes, but according to the NTSB data
here, in 2009 there were a total of 1,474 accidents involving general aviation (i.e., everything other than airlines and military operations). I, for one, certainly don't recall there being 1,474 news stories about non-commercial, non-military airplane crashes in 2009.
I don't know about relative to car crashes, but according to the NTSB data here, in 2009 there were a total of 1,474 accidents involving general aviationDo you realize that "accidents" in GA mean front wheel dropping in a hole resulting in a prop strike to the ground to flat tires causing a ground loop, wind overturning aircraft on landing, etc? usually pretty boring stuff.
If your engine quits, and you make a perfectly safe landing on a highway,, it is a FAA reportable accident.