ENG26LA026

NTSB incident investigation · Cirrus SF50 · Athens, GA · June 2, 2026

Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary report
Date
June 2, 2026, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
Place
Athens, GA · AHN Airport
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Minor damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N129KACirrus SF50
Defining event
Initial climb: Uncontained engine failure
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Investigation ongoing
Investigation class
Class 3
NTSB office
Aviation Engineering Division
Parties
Cirrus Aircraft, FAA AVP-110, Williams International, Cirrus, FAA AIR-765
FAA report
20260602007939A
Case key
203106

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the incident.

On this page

Preliminary report

What NTSB knew early in the investigation. It may change in the final report.

On June 2, 2026, at 0945 eastern daylight time, a Cirrus SF50, N129KA, powered by a Williams International FJ33-5A turbofan engine, experienced an uncontained engine failure during climb from Greene County Regional Airport (KCPP), Greensboro, Georgia. There were no injuries to the pilot or passenger. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 general aviation flight from KCPP destined for Sgt. Lee Russell Carroll County Airport (KHZD), Huntingdon, Tennessee. According to the pilot, after takeoff at about 8,000ft above mean sea level (MSL), he received an engine inter-turbine temperature (ITT) warning and full authority digital engine control (FADEC) NO DISPATCH cockpit alerting system (CAS) message. He then contacted air traffic control (ATC) and requested a hold at 10,000 ft MSL, and in accordance with the checklist procedures, reduced the thrust lever setting by switching the auto throttle to manual mode and reduced the airspeed to 180 kts. The engine ITT temperature decreased, and the CAS message cleared. He reported that he remained at 10,000ft MSL for several minutes to monitor the engine parameters, and all remained within operating limits. The pilot then contacted ATC to request a small climb to see how the engine would perform, and after receiving authorization, initiated a climb to 13,000ft MSL. Seconds after advancing the engine throttle, there was a loud bang and reduction in power. The pilot reported that he pitched the airplane for best glide, declared an emergency, and received vectors to Athens-Ben Epps Airport (AHN), Athens, GA. While performing the emergency checklist procedure he attempted to “clear the engine,” which aggressively shook the airplane. He continued on vectors, deployed the flaps and landing gear, and made a no power landing on runway 9 at AHN. A post-incident examination of the airplane revealed an uncontained engine failure and separated section of engine cowl. A section of turbine disk protruded from the lower cowling structure on the right side of the airplane (Figure 1). Figure 1. Figure 1. Right Side of Airplane Engine, Post-Incident Inspection As part of the investigation process, the NTSB invited qualified parties to participate in the investigation, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Williams International, and Cirrus Aircraft. Party members from the FAA, Williams International, and Cirrus removed the engine at AHN and shipped it to Williams International in Pontiac, Michigan for teardown examination.

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident.

Aircraft

Registration
N129KA
Reported as
Cirrus SF50 (NO SERIES EXISTS)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
580
Built
2024
Airframe hours
298
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Haven Steel Products
Registered owner
Haven Logistics LLC
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
100 hour · April 11, 2026
Departed
KCCP · Greensboro, GA
Destination
KHZD · McKenzie, TN
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
AHN · Athens/Ben Epps, runway 09/27, 6,122 × 100 ft, asphalt
Equipment
Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, Airframe parachute

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
73 °F, dew point 64 °F
Altimeter
30.08 inHg
Observed at
KAHN, 10 nm away

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.