Amateur-built Fshr Aero Vsns Clbty accident near Tampa, Florida, September 25, 2008
On September 25, 2008 at about 4:03 pm local time, a amateur-built Fshr Aero Vsns Clbty, registered N716HJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Tampa, Florida (Tampa North Aero Park airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff due to inadequate maintenance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 25, 2008 · about 4:03 pm local time
- Place
- Tampa, Florida · Tampa North Aero Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Fshr Aero Vsns Clbty
- Registration
- N716HJ · no longer on the register · serial AV 1033
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to a witness, a slight gust of wind came across the airfield during takeoff. He stated that the airplane was two to three feet off the ground when the left wing dipped, hit the runway, and caused the airplane to cartwheel several times. According to an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic, the pilot was anxious to take his aircraft so he started adjusting the tension on the flying wire cables himself. The cables on the left wing remained loose even after adjusting the turnbuckles. The A&P recommended to the pilot that the cables be cut and re-swaged to which the pilot declined. On the day of the accident, the pilot taxied his airplane away from A&P’s property, without having any of the discrepancies corrected. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found that the pilot preferred to do his own maintenance, and that an annual inspection was not completed on the airplane. He found that the left wing's flying wires were not attached properly to the main frame, which was evidenced by the oblong fitting coupled with the bare metal on the main frame bracket showing that the assembly pulled apart from the fuselage before or just prior to takeoff.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Dragged wing/rotor/float/other during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; rotorcraft: balloon; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,430 hours in all; 1 in this make and model
- Last flight review: March 12, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6.6 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 15, 1999; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,230 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O200-A6A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X39 Tampa FL at 4:03 pm
- Destination: X39 Tampa FL
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 32, 3,541 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 4:17 pm from VDF, 12 miles away
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.