Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
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
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured 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…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
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 manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
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
May 9, 1991 · Gildersleeve RV-4 · N188BG
Ionia, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 9, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Ionia, MI
Aircraft
Gildersleeve RV-4
Tail Number
N188BG
Operator
Jud M Gildersleeve
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI91DEM05
THE PILOT OF A SINGLE ENGINE HOMEBUILT STATED HE WAS AT A CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 3000 FEET MSL WHEN HIS ENGINE QUIT RUNNING. HE STATED HE SWITCHED ON THE FUEL BOOST PUMP BUT SAW ONLY '0' FUEL PRESSURE. HE STATED HE WAS WITHIN 2 MILES OF HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT AND BEGAN AN ATTEMPTED DEAD STICK LANDING GLIDE. AS THE AIRPLANE NEARED THE AIRPORT HE REALIZED HE WOULD NOT CLEAR OBSTACLES IN HIS GLIDEPATH. HE STATED HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A WHEAT FIELD. DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH POLICE A WITNESS STATED HE SAW THE AIRPLANE 'COMING IN NOSE FIRST' AND THAT 'AT THE LAST MINUTE IT PULLED ITS NOSE UP AND HIT BELLY FIRST.' AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEFT FUEL TANK EMPTY AND THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE ON THE LEFT TANK. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND FULL.
NTSB Probable Cause
REMEDIAL ACTION NOT PERFORMED BY THE PILOT AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE PROPER TANK.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF A SINGLE ENGINE HOMEBUILT STATED HE WAS AT A CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 3000 FEET MSL WHEN HIS ENGINE QUIT RUNNING. HE STATED HE SWITCHED ON THE FUEL BOOST PUMP BUT SAW ONLY '0' FUEL PRESSURE. HE STATED HE WAS WITHIN 2 MILES OF HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT AND BEGAN AN ATTEMPTED DEAD STICK LANDING GLIDE. AS THE AIRPLANE NEARED THE AIRPORT HE REALIZED HE WOULD NOT CLEAR OBSTACLES IN HIS GLIDEPATH. HE STATED HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A WHEAT FIELD. DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH POLICE A WITNESS STATED HE SAW THE AIRPLANE 'COMING IN NOSE FIRST' AND THAT 'AT THE LAST MINUTE IT PULLED ITS NOSE UP AND HIT BELLY FIRST.' AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEFT FUEL TANK EMPTY AND THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE ON THE LEFT TANK. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND FULL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:42 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGildersleeve RV-4
Tail NumberN188BG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJud M Gildersleeve
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 8 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC