Homebuilt aircraft like the one involved in Sunday's fatal crash are increasingly popular, but "kitplane" experts say that's nothing to worry about.
"The safety record … is very similar to factory-built aircraft," said Dick Knapinski, spokesman for the Experimental Aircraft Association, based in Wisconsin. "They are safe."
More than 27,000 homebuilt aircraft are registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, Knapinski said. That's about 15 to 20 percent of general aviation aircraft. Those registration figures increase by about 1,000 each year.
Of the roughly 8,000 general aviation accidents reported to the FAA during the last five years, about 1,100 involved aircraft constructed by amateurs, according to an FAA database. About 19 percent of all fatal accidents involved homebuilt planes. Most of those accidents were due to pilot error.
One of the most popular homebuilt aircraft brands is Glasair, which made the parts for the plane involved in Sunday's crash. About 1,200 Glasair and GlaStar planes are registered to fly, according to the company's Web site.
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"The safety record … is very similar to factory-built aircraft," said Dick Knapinski, spokesman for the Experimental Aircraft Association, based in Wisconsin. "They are safe."
More than 27,000 homebuilt aircraft are registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, Knapinski said. That's about 15 to 20 percent of general aviation aircraft. Those registration figures increase by about 1,000 each year.
Of the roughly 8,000 general aviation accidents reported to the FAA during the last five years, about 1,100 involved aircraft constructed by amateurs, according to an FAA database. About 19 percent of all fatal accidents involved homebuilt planes. Most of those accidents were due to pilot error.
One of the most popular homebuilt aircraft brands is Glasair, which made the parts for the plane involved in Sunday's crash. About 1,200 Glasair and GlaStar planes are registered to fly, according to the company's Web site.
sacbee.com