# NTSB MIA01LA233: Beech A45, N45GS, Eatonton, GA, September 29, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 2001, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Eatonton, GA
- Coordinates: 33.326389, -83.389167
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3264&lon=-83.3892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA233

## Probable cause

The inadvertent sliding of the airplane on tall grass when the pilot aborted takeoff and the swerved the airplane to the left of the runway to avoid deer which had walked onto the runway, resulting in the airplanes left wing contacting a tree.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - animal(s)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - evasive maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - miscellaneous - inadvertent (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during takeoff to the east, he observed three deer crossing the runway in front of him. He aborted the takeoff and simultaneously swerved to the left to avoid contact with the deer. There was tall grass along the side of the runway and the airplane began to slide on the tall grass. The left wing of the airplane then impacted a 6 to 8 inch tree.

## Factual narrative

On September 29, 2001, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Beech A45, N45GS, registered to Group 144 S, Inc., collided with a tree during an aborted takeoff at Sebastian Cove Airport, Eatonton, Georgia, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that during takeoff to the east, he observed three deer crossing the runway in front of him. He aborted the takeoff and simultaneously swerved to the left to avoid contact with the deer. There was tall grass along the side of the runway and the airplane began to slide on the tall grass. The left wing of the airplane then impacted a 6 to 8 inch diameter tree.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45GS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45GS), registered now, S/N 34-76, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech A45
- Registry model: [Beech A45](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a45) (registry code 1152006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-76
- Airframe hours: 5100
- Engines: Continental IO-550-B9F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J. Georges Sulmers
- Registered owner: Group 144 S, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 2000, 55 hours before
- Departed: 32GA, Eatonton, GA
- Destination: GVL, Gainesville, GA
- Airport: 32GA, Sebastion Cove, runway 9, 3,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; last flight review June 18, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 20,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 45 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20010929027569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010929027569A), Sep 29, 2001: Beech A45, Eatonton, GA, No damage. (-23) Mr. Sulmers reported that Saturday 09/29/2001 around 7:00 pm eastern time he was departing sebastian cove airport, a grass air strip, in his T-34 (N45GS)…

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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