Amateur-built MONG BIWIN accident near Thomasville, North Carolina, November 2, 2008
On November 2, 2008 at about 2:35 am local time, a amateur-built MONG BIWIN, registered N318CF, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Thomasville, North Carolina (Hiatt Airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The builder’s failure to set adequate propeller pitch during propeller installation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 2, 2008 · about 2:35 am local time
- Place
- Thomasville, North Carolina · Hiatt Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MONG BIWIN
- Registration
- N318CF · no longer on the register · serial JGF 813
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was making the first of a series of test flights for the new airplane. After engine run-ups and a high speed taxi run, the first takeoff was attempted. The airplane became airborne after a takeoff roll of 1,000 feet. At 30 feet AGL, the airplane would not climb higher or accelerate above 50 knots. Insufficient runway remained to land and the airplane impacted trees in a fully-stalled condition. The pilot reported there was no mechanical malfunction and the ground adjustable propeller was not set to allow the airplane to accelerate.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Owner/builder
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Propeller system › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, sport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 21,000 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 12,800 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 16, 2008
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, June 21, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 650 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 447 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N97 Thomasville NC at 10:30 pm
- Destination: N97 Thomasville NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 2,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.