NTSB to hold seminar on lessons learned from homebuilt accidents

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Transportation Safety Board is presenting a seminar later this month highlighting the lessons that have been learned from the NTSB’s investigations of accidents involving experimental amateur-built aircraft.

With more than 33,000 E-AB aircraft in the U.S., this segment of general aviation has grown rapidly in recent years. While representing nearly 10% of the GA fleet, E-AB aircraft are involved in about 15% of the total — and over 20% of the fatal — U.S. general aviation accidents.

This seminar will provide a unique opportunity to hear about some of the E-AB accidents that the NTSB has investigated, as well as the recommended safety efforts to reduce the E-AB accident rate, NTSB officials said.

For this seminar, the NTSB has partnered with other organizations, including the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Attendees will hear from representatives of these groups on what actions can be taken to reduce the risk of being involved in an E-AB incident or accident.

NTSB Board Member Earl Weener will be a featured presenter, and attendees will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of Weener and NTSB staff.

Pilots participating in the FAA’s WINGS program will receive credit for attendance.

The safety seminar will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9 am to 1 pm at the NTSB Training Center, 45065 Riverside Parkway, Ashburn, Virginia 20147.

The event is free and open to the public but is limited to 200 attendees; early registration is highly recommended, NTSB officials said.

The doors will open at 8:30 am. A state or federal government issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, is required for entry to the building.

Those interested in attending the seminar here.

In May 2012, the NTSB issued a report on E-AB safety detailing the types of accidents most frequently associated with flight operations involving these aircraft. The findings are available at here.