Piper PA-31P accident near Augusta, GA
On June 16, 2003, a Piper PA-31P (airplane) was involved in an accident near Augusta, GA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 16, 2003
- Place
- Augusta, GA
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-31P · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.370°N, 81.964°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030620X00918
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 16, 2003, at 1302 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31P, N577FS, registered to Gold Wing Transportation, Inc., owned and operated by River Cross Investment Corp., collided with trees, a swamp, and caught fire shortly after takeoff from Augusta Regional at Bush Field, Augusta, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot and passenger received fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight departed Augusta Regional at Bush Field, Augusta, Georgia, at 1259 on June 16, 2003. According to air traffic control records, at 1259:37, the Augusta tower controller cleared the flight for takeoff from runway 35. During the flight's climbout from the runway, the pilot stated to the controller at 1301:09, "tower seven foxtrot sierra we just lost an engine and will be making a return to the runway." The controller replied, "Navajo seven foxtrot sierra roger cleared to land whatever runway you'd like wind zero four zero at seven." According to a statement provided by the controller, he noticed the airplane was losing altitude as it continued straight out after departing the runway, and it did not appear to be turning back toward the airport. At 1301:35, the controller asked, "Navajo seven foxtrot sierra you coming back around." The controller stated he then observed the airplane "tilt over to the side and go into the trees," and he used a telephone to call for emergency response. A witness at the airport who ob
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering on initial take off climb resulting in an inadvertent stall, loss of control, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and a swamp. A factor in the accident was a reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
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Browse: Georgia · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
