Important Disclaimer

This tool presents statistical analysis of NTSB accident data for experimental amateur-built aircraft. The data is provided for informational and educational purposes only.

This data should not be the sole basis for any aircraft purchase, build, or flight decision. Aviation safety depends on many factors not captured here, including pilot training, recency, weather decision-making, maintenance practices, and individual judgment.

Key limitations of this data:

  • Accident rates are fleet-level statistics — your personal risk depends heavily on how you fly, not just what you fly.
  • Small sample sizes for some aircraft types make their statistics unreliable. A single accident can change a type's fatal percentage significantly.
  • No per-type flight hour data exists for homebuilt aircraft, so true exposure-adjusted rates cannot be calculated.
  • Accident narratives were individually read and classified using an LLM, then fully audited with 614 corrections applied. This is not an official NTSB classification.

The analysis uses an initiator-based approach — identifying the first event in the accident chain rather than the NTSB's probable cause. This is an analytical framework, not an official NTSB classification.

If you are considering building or purchasing an experimental aircraft, consult experienced builders, flight instructors with type-specific experience, and your local EAA chapter. No website can substitute for hands-on guidance.

We believe safety data should be free and accessible to everyone in the experimental aircraft community. This tool is free to use and always will be. If you find it valuable, consider supporting the project.

Experimental Aircraft Safety

Safety Articles

Data-driven analysis from 8,817 experimental aircraft accidents, 1982-2026

April 2026

Experimental Aircraft Are Getting Safer: 25 Years of Data Show a Dramatic Decline

The E-AB fatal rate has dropped over 50% since the early 2000s. Better engines, better kits, and fleet turnover are closing the gap with certified GA. Here is what the data shows.

March 2026

Are Kit Planes Safe? What 8,817 Accidents Actually Show

The honest, data-driven answer to the question every prospective builder asks. Overall stats, what kills people, and what you can control.

March 2026

Safest Experimental Aircraft to Build in 2026

50+ types ranked by fatal accident percentage. Which kit planes are most survivable when things go wrong?

March 2026

RV-6 vs RV-7 Safety: What 376 Accidents Tell Us

Head-to-head safety comparison of the two most popular Van's RV models. The RV-7 has a higher fatal rate despite being newer — here's why.

March 2026

Engine Failure in Experimental Aircraft: What 2,831 Cases Tell Us

Your engine will probably quit at some point. The good news: 83% of pilots survive. The bad news: 20% of engine failures are actually fuel mismanagement.