Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

June 23, 1995 · Piper J-5A · N40888

Wausau, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 23, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Wausau, WI
Aircraft
Piper J-5A
Tail Number
N40888
Operator
Wausau Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA194

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS TAXIING THE AIRPLANE IN A CONGESTED AREA NEAR A REFUELING ISLAND. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND WING STRUT COLLIDED WITH THE FUEL PUMPS ON THE ISLAND. THE RIGHT WING STRUTS WERE BENT AND THE RIGHT WING SPAR WAS CRACKED AT THE JURY STRUT ATTACH POINT.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's misjudgment of the clearance between the airplane and the fuel pumps.

Full Narrative

On June 22, 1995, at 2010 central daylight time, a Piper J-5A, N40888, registered to John P. Chmiel of Wausau, Wisconsin, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with fuel pumps on an aircraft refueling island during taxi for departure at the Wausau Municipal Airport, Wausau, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The airplane was going to depart from Wausau, Wisconsin, at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's statement, he was taxing the airplane in a confined area when he misjudged his distance from the fuel pumps. He said the right main landing gear and wing strut struck the fuel pumps during taxi. The pilot said the collision broke the right landing gear forward mounting bolt. He said the right wing struts and associated jury struts were badly bent. The right wing's main spar was cracked at the jury strut mount, according to the pilot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:10 CDT
Nearest AirportWausau Downtown Airport (1nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J-5A
Tail NumberN40888
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWausau Flying Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A 75-9C8 · Reciprocating · 75
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 7 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data