The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) has determined that homebuilt experimental aircraft built by amateurs has a fatal accident rate 3 to 4 times greater than other aircraft categories. In May of 2012 the NTSB released the results of their study of homebuilt experimental aircraft accidents which contained 16 recommendations to improve the safety of these amateur built aircraft. You can find that study at NTSB EAB Study.

What NOT To Do!

On March 30th of this year a pilot flying a Zodiak 601 homebuilt experimental aircraft with an instructor fell out of the aircraft 2,500 feet to his death near Chattanooga, TN. The body was located by pinging his cell phone. The Zodiak 601 is a kit-built experimental aircraft. Apparently the homebuilt experimental aircraft experienced an unexpected nosedive causing the canopy of the aircraft to come off and while the instructor attempted to regain control of the aircraft the owner (who was not wearing a seat belt) was ejected from the aircraft and fell to his death.

First Flights Are Dangerous!

According to the NTSB almost 10% of first flights of these homebuilt experimental aircraft result crashed on the new owner's first flight. In the above case the estate of the man who built the aircraft sold it to the deceased after the man who built this homebuilt experimental aircraft died in an earlier crash.

Join The EAA

If you plan on building or purchasing your own homebuilt experimental aircraft the first thing you should do is join the Experimental Aircraft Association and get familiar with the information they provide to pilots. Without a doubt the better prepared you are and the more you know about homebuilt experimental aircraft the better off and safer you will be. In the meantime keep your wings straight and level Hersch! Please share "Homebuilt Experimental Aircraft Accidents" with your friends using the buttons below. Thanks!           Until next time keep your wings straight and level Hersch! JetAviator7+ ps: Don't forget to sign up for updates via email for "All Things Aviation" here!