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 25, 1988 · Chappel Ratsrepus 300 Ratsrepus · N889HC
Pontiac, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Pontiac, MI
Aircraft
Chappel Ratsrepus 300 Ratsrepus
Tail Number
N889HC
Operator
Harold R Chappel Ii
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI88DEC02
THE PILOT WAS TESTING THIS EXPERIMENTAL ACROBATIC AIRCRAFT, MAKING A SECOND LOW PASS OVER THE RUNWAY WHEN A PORTION OF THE LEFT WING SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT, FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF THE LEFT AILERON, 1 1/2 ROLLS TO THE LEFT AND GROUND IMPACT. THE AIRFRAME TOTAL TIME WAS 4 HOURS. ON-SCENE INSPECTION REVEALED NO MASS BALANCE IN THE AILERONS. WITNESSES ESTIMATE SPEEDS AT OR ABOVE 150 MPH. A DESIGNATED ENGINEERING REPRESENTATIVE IN THE AREA OF FLUTTER AND VIBRATION STATED HE HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THE AIRSPEED BE LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 135 MPH UNTIL GROUND VIBRATION TESTS WERE CONDUCTED.
NTSB Probable Cause
DESTRUCTIVE WING/AILERON FLUTTER IS SUSPECTED, BUT NOT SUFFICIENTLY SUBSTANTIATED THROUGH RESEARCH AND CALCULATIONS TO BE CITED AS THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS TESTING THIS EXPERIMENTAL ACROBATIC AIRCRAFT, MAKING A SECOND LOW PASS OVER THE RUNWAY WHEN A PORTION OF THE LEFT WING SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT, FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF THE LEFT AILERON, 1 1/2 ROLLS TO THE LEFT AND GROUND IMPACT. THE AIRFRAME TOTAL TIME WAS 4 HOURS. ON-SCENE INSPECTION REVEALED NO MASS BALANCE IN THE AILERONS. WITNESSES ESTIMATE SPEEDS AT OR ABOVE 150 MPH. A DESIGNATED ENGINEERING REPRESENTATIVE IN THE AREA OF FLUTTER AND VIBRATION STATED HE HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THE AIRSPEED BE LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 135 MPH UNTIL GROUND VIBRATION TESTS WERE CONDUCTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:07 EDT
Nearest AirportOakland/Pontiac (0nm N)
Runway9L
Runway Length3251 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftChappel Ratsrepus 300 Ratsrepus
Tail NumberN889HC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHarold R Chappel Ii
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC