# NTSB CHI08CA204: Indy T-Bird II, N95172, Independence, IA, July 19, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 19, 2008, 13:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Independence, IA
- Coordinates: 42.456111, -91.956947
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4561&lon=-91.9569&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA204

## Probable cause

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.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Indy T-BIRD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05904Y2), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Indy T-BIRD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05904Y2), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Indy T-BIRD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=05904Y2), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Indy T-BIRD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05904Y2), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## 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.

## Factual narrative

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95172](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95172-2020-05-29), registration cancelled 2020-05-29, S/N T2080102 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: INDY AIRCRAFT LTD T-Bird II
- Registry model: [Indy T-BIRD II](https://openairdocs.org/model/indy-t-bird-ii) (registry code 05904Y2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3306597
- Engines: Rotax 582 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pilot
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Departed: IIB, Independence, IA
- Destination: IIB

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 866 total, 0 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20080719845999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080719845999A), Jul 19, 2008: Amtr TBIRDII, Independence, IA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was operating an amateur built aircraft, he attempted a takeoff, lost control and crashed back onto the runway at Independence, Iowa, airport…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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