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

May 21, 2024 · Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415-C · N99577

Ontario, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 2024
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Ontario, OR
Aircraft
Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415-C (1946)
Tail Number
N99577
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR24LA158

The accident flight was the non-certificated pilot's first flight in the airplane, which the pilot had recently purchased and taken possession of on the day of the accident. The airplane was on a steep approach as the pilot attempted to land and hit an approach light short of the runway threshold. The airplane then bounced and struck another set of lights before landing hard on the runway. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest on the runway and a postimpact fire ensued. A witness who arrived at the scene of the accident stated that the pilot told him that he had misjudged the landing. A witness reported that the pilot conducted a steep approach to land, consistent with an unstable approach. The airplane was not available for examination following the accident, and whether a mechanical anomaly contributed to the accident could not be determined. The investigation was unable to determine the extent of the non-certificated pilot’s previous flight experience or whether the pilot had received any formal or informal flight instruction.

NTSB Probable Cause

The non-certificated pilot’s unstable approach to landing, which resulted in a collision with approach lighting, hard landing, and postimpact fire.

Full Narrative

On May 21, 2024, about 1215 Pacific daylight time, an Engineering & Research Ercoupe 415-C airplane, N99577, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Ontario, Oregon. The non-certificated pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A certified flight instructor who was in an airplane holding short of runway 15 reported that the airplane was on a steep approach as it attempted to land and struck an approach light short of the runway threshold. The airplane then bounced and struck another set of lights before landing hard on the runway. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest on the runway, and a postimpact fire ensued. The airplane sustained substantial thermal damage to the fuselage, and the pilot sustained serious burn injuries. Another witness who arrived at the scene of the accident stated that the pilot told him that he had misjudged the landing. Subsequently, the airplane was destroyed in a postaccident fire. The wreckage was removed from the runway but was disposed of before the airframe and engine could be examined by the FAA or NTSB. The pilot was not a certificated pilot and did not hold a current FAA medical certificate, nor did he have a current medical; the FAA reported that he was denied a medical certificate about six years before the accident. Multiple attempts were made to contact the pilot; however, those attempts were unsuccessful while the pilot was recovering in a burn unit and under anesthesia. The pilot did not provide a statement to the FAA or NTSB after he was released from the hospital, nor did the pilot submit a National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 PDT
Nearest AirportOntario Muni (0.1nm NE)
Runway15
Runway Length5006 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEngineering & Research Ercoupe 415-C
Tail NumberN99577
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · AC 75 · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 80 · None · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 28 F
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time12:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data