For an industry built on precision and performance, the most dangerous moment might not be 30,000 feet in the air but, instead, what happens on the ground.

That’s one of the more compelling insights from Nimbl’s 2025 Annual Safety Report, which offers a rare, data-backed look at how safety in business aviation plays out not just in the cockpit, but across every point of interaction, from ramp workers to third-party fuelers to maintenance techs. As the push toward smarter, more connected transit systems continues, the report is a wake-up call that the future of aviation safety may hinge less on airframes and more on ecosystems.

Nimbl, the aviation safety and compliance company formerly known as AviationManuals, analyzed thousands of submissions from its client base of over 4,000 operators worldwide. The results? More than 50% of reported safety issues occurred during ground operations or approach, not mid-flight. And in many of those cases, the root cause wasn’t a faulty part or pilot error. It was a third-party actor working adjacent to the aircraft.

It’s a reminder that in today’s interconnected mobility networks, aviation isn’t siloed. It’s part of a broader transit web that includes FBOs, ground crews, maintenance partners, and air traffic systems, each with their own risk profiles and operational blind spots. And in that web, safety reporting becomes less of an internal compliance tool and more of a collaborative map to better decision-making.

“Safety reporting isn’t just about checking a box,” said Nimbl CEO Mark Baier. “It’s about creating a culture where operators learn from these types of observations so they can make smarter decisions as a result.”

That culture, according to Nimbl, starts with more consistent, system-wide reporting, even for the smallest irregularities. The 2025 report points to recurring safety themes in procedures, towing, and facility environments, noting that even minor lapses — like a miscommunication during aircraft movement or a poorly lit hangar entrance — can lead to costly delays, go-arounds, or worse.

For those building tomorrow’s transit systems, these insights matter. As air mobility expands, regional airports modernize, and new players like eVTOLs enter the space, shared responsibility for safety will only increase. Tools like Nimbl’s integrated Safety Management System (SMS), procedures manuals, and compliance support could become central to aligning diverse transit stakeholders around a single safety standard.

It’s also a subtle argument for better ground infrastructure and smarter integration between private and public transit systems. If the majority of incidents stem from what happens on the ground or during approach, then the solution isn’t just better training. It’s better coordination, more transparency, and a willingness to view safety as a cross-domain challenge.

Because when it comes to the future of mobility, the most valuable runway might be the one everyone shares.