Private Pilot Flight Training and Instruction Flight Training Article Library | Back To 4VFR.COM Homebuilt Statistics 2% of planes are homebuilt…they have 10% of the accidents and are twice as likely to be totally destroyed. Half of homebuilt accidents occur in first 20 hours with pilots usually in the 40-49 age group. 87k% of homebuilt crashes are caused by pilot error. 13% of homebuilt power loss crashes are fatal. 17% of these power loss crashes are due to mechanical failure usually related to fuel starvation, vapor lock, and carburetor ice. 1. One in five first flights have major difficulty 2. Majority of accidents are in first and second flights 3. Pilot error is the primary cause of homebuilt accidents Written by Gene Whitt Flight Training Article Library | Back To 4VFR.COM