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.
NTSB 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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA204 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 19, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Independence, Iowa
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Indy Aircraft Ltd T-Bird II
- N-number
- N95172
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Flight test
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.