N95172INDY AIRCRAFT LTD T-Bird II2008-07-19 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Serious

INDY AIRCRAFT LTD T-Bird IIS/N: 3306597

Summary

On July 19, 2008, a Indy Aircraft LTD T-Bird II (N95172) was involved in an accident near Independence, IA. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The takeoff airspeed not attained and the aborted takeoff not performed by the pilot. An additional cause was the lack of familiarity with the airplane by the pilot.

The pilot performed several taxi tests, which seemed "normal." He then attempted a takeoff on runway 17 (4,000 feet by 100 feet, concrete) during which the airplane bounced once and impacted the terrain next to the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane did not have "pitch authority" and may not have had enough airspeed for takeoff. The airplane sustained substantial damage which included bent fuselage tubing and wing struts. The pilot received serious injuries.

This accident is documented in NTSB report CHI08CA204. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N95172.

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, July 19, 2008
NTSB Number
CHI08CA204
Location
Independence, IA
Event ID
20080826X01329
Coordinates
42.456111, -91.956947
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The takeoff airspeed not attained and the aborted takeoff not performed by the pilot. An additional cause was the lack of familiarity with the airplane by the pilot.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
INDY AIRCRAFT LTD
Serial Number
3306597
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
T-Bird IIAT2P
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
DAVIS GERALD S
Address
3490 STATE ROUTE 2073
Status
Deregistered
City
KINGSLEY
State / Zip Code
PA 18826-7036
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot performed several taxi tests, which seemed "normal." He then attempted a takeoff on runway 17 (4,000 feet by 100 feet, concrete) during which the airplane bounced once and impacted the terrain next to the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane did not have "pitch authority" and may not have had enough airspeed for takeoff. The airplane sustained substantial damage which included bent fuselage tubing and wing struts. The pilot received serious injuries.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI08CA204