Amateur-built VP1 accident near Starkville, Mississippi, July 22, 2008
On July 22, 2008 at about 8:57 pm local time, a amateur-built VP1, registered N822CB, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Starkville, Mississippi (George Bryan 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 clearance from trees during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment by alcohol.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 2008 · about 8:57 pm local time
- Place
- Starkville, Mississippi · George Bryan Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VP1
- Registration
- N822CB · no longer on the register · serial 091650
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting his third takeoff from the runway, in which he intended to complete a 180-degree return to the airport. When the airplane was at an altitude of about 300 feet above ground level (75 feet above the trees), the pilot initiated a 25-degree left bank turn back toward the runway. During the turn, the airplane impacted trees and was substantially damaged. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical deficiencies. The pilot’s blood alcohol level was 0.13 g/dL one hour after the accident. He had a history of DUIs and inpatient alcohol-related treatment, and a history of anxiety treated with prescription medication (paroxetine and alprazolam); however, he denied any medical or alcohol-related history on his applications for FAA airman medical certificates. The pilot would have been impaired by the effects of alcohol while flying the aircraft, and he may also have been impaired by use of alprazolam. According to 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.17, "No person may act ... as a crewmember of a civil aircraft ... while under the influence of alcohol…or while having an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater in a blood or breath specimen."
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Alcohol › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 9,018 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 9,018 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 20, 2008; 51 hours since
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen CONVERSION (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: STF Starkville MS at 8:55 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,550 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 99°F (37°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from GTR, 14 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.