This July 2008 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Talon XP. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Cleveland, Ga. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot had logged 225 total hours of flight experience, with 142 hours in the accident airplane make and model. According to witnesses, he took off and flew over the runway about 50 feet above the pavement until about 900 feet of runway remained. The airplane then pitched up and climbed to about 150 feet before it entered a stall and pitched nose down. The airplane exploded when it hit the ground. The post-crash investigation did not find any obvious mechanical deficiencies with the airframe or engine.
Probable cause: An inadvertent stall during the initial climb.
For more information: NTSB.gov
