Did pilot deaths rise significantly in 2021 compared to the previous 2 years?

The reason for the supposed sharp rise actually has a simple explanation.

Multiple widely-shared social media posts have claimed or hinted that a sharp rise in airline pilot deaths are linked to COVID-19 vaccines, using a list from the Air Line Pilot magazine to backup their claims.

The list shows just 1 death in 2019 & 6 in 2020, compared to dozens in 2021.

But the Air Line Pilots Association - which publishes the magazine - has now debunked the claims.

As stated in the Twitter statement, the magazine "(honours) ALPA - both active or retired - who have flown west. Based on verified information provided by their families, we reported the deaths of more pilots in 2019 and 2020 than in 2021."

One hint is that the list of 2021 deaths includes pilots who flew for Pan Am (which ceased operations in 1991) and TWA (which ceased operations in 2001 when it was acquired by American Airlines).

Another list from several years prior also shows a similar list of deaths from both the current year & previous years.

RATING: MISSING CONTEXT

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