Amateur-built MAX TH accident near Inverness Highlands South, Florida, November 26, 2025
On November 26, 2025 at about 9:40 pm local time, a 1996 amateur-built MAX TH, registered N48TH, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Inverness Highlands South, Florida (Inverness airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control on takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the aircraft design that did not incorporate differential braking.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 26, 2025 · about 9:40 pm local time
- Place
- Inverness Highlands South, Florida · Inverness · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MAX TH, built 1996
- Registration
- N48TH · registry record · serial 450
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was departing with a mild right crosswind in the amateur-built, steerable tailwheel-equipped airplane, without differential braking. After initiating his takeoff roll, the airplane began to drift to the left and he was unable to correct. The airplane exited the runway and struck a sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane’s tailwheel or brake system that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear brakes system › Design
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Flight crew
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 122 hours in all; 29 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 56 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 13, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 700 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Great Plains Vw 1800cc (piston); 331 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KINF Inverness FL at 9:40 pm
- Destination: KINF Inverness FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 5,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 am from inf
Weather report (METAR): SA 26/11/2025 22:35->METAR KINF 262235Z AUTO 00000KT 5SM HZ CLR 23/20 A3007
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Left Side View showing damage to wing and aileron
Photograph 2 – Closeup of damage to left wing and aileronThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on June 17, 2026. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Mor, FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Investigation Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.