The amateur-built aircraft accident rate has taken a major decline over the past year, with EAA reportedly playing a major role in the remarkable reduction in accidents and fatalities. Figures released by the FAA indicate that the homebuilt aircraft accident rate has dropped 25 percent for the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 2003. Over that same period, the fatal accident rate has dropped an even more remarkable 36 percent. These figures are especially impressive because registrations of amateur-built aircraft have reached record numbers. Over that same 12-month period, total homebuilt aircraft registrations grew to more than an all-time high of 25,000 in the U.S. alone.