# NTSB ATL03LA091: Homebuilt Unkown, Summerville, GA, May 4, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 2003, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Summerville, GA
- Coordinates: 34.666667, -85.5
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6667&lon=-85.5000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Atlanta FSDO-11
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56993
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56993/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA091

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent collision with the ground.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

According to family members, the uncertificated person operated his airplane from a private airstrip about 1/4 mile from the accident site. Shortly after take off the airplane collided with the ground. A  witness reported a loud noise, and thought a car had crashed. The sheriff department dispatched deputies to the scene and discovered the downed airplane. Examination of the downed airplane revealed that the flight controls were conected and moved freely. The fuel tanks were not breached and fuel was found in both wing tanks. The  uncertificated pilot did not report any problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On May 4, 2003, at 1900 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt, unregistered airplane, operated by an uncertificated pilot, collided with the ground while attempting to takeoff from a private grass airstrip in Summerville, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the uncertificated pilot received serious injuries. The flight departed Summerville, Georgia, at 1857 on May 4, 2003.

According to family members, the uncertificated pilot operated his airplane from a private airstrip about 1/4 mile from the accident site. At the approximated time of the accident, a witness reported a loud noise and thought a car had crashed. The sheriff department dispatched deputies to the scene and discovered the downed airplane.

The wreckage distribution  covered an area of 40 feet long and 30 feet wide along a magnetic path of 230 degrees. Examination of the downed airplane revealed that the right wing had crush damage with pieces of tree bark embedded into the leading edge. A broken tree with pieces of bark missing was located two feet away from the right wing. The flight controls were connected and moved freely. The fuel tanks were not breached and fuel was found in both wing tanks.

The uncertificated pilot did not report any problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Homebuilt Unkown
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: Rotax 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: Summerville, GA
- Destination: Summerville, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: serious; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: RMG, 35 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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