In the aviation industry, "blame" is rarely a single-word answer, as accident investigations conducted by bodies like the NTSB or AAIB focus on identifying "probable cause" rather than legal liability. However, statistically, human error—specifically pilot error—is cited in roughly 70% to 80% of accidents. This can include "controlled flight into terrain" (CFIT), poor decision-making in weather, or exhaustion. Beyond the cockpit, "blame" can shift to maintenance crews for mechanical negligence, air traffic controllers for separation errors, or the aircraft manufacturers (like Boeing or Airbus) if a design flaw is discovered. In 2026, investigations are increasingly scrutinized for "organizational failure," where a company’s safety culture or regulatory oversight is found to be the true root cause. Legally, the airline usually bears the initial financial responsibility for passenger compensation, regardless of where the specific technical fault lies.