RE: What causes crashes?
No real data here, just based on my experience and observations:
#1 By far Pilot Error.
#2 Equipment/Mechanical Failure. Largely due to poor set up, improper control linkage/hinges/servos for the job, lack of maintenance.
#3 Radio problems. This gets a lot more blame than it deserves, since a lot of pilots are reluctant to admit their errors.
Joe