Beech A-36 accident near Milledgeville, Georgia, March 8, 2003
On March 8, 2003 at about 3:52 am local time, a Beech A-36, registered N333RB, was destroyed in an accident near Milledgeville, Georgia (Baldwin County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper IFR procedure by which he failed to maintain the minimum descent altitude, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A factor was low the ceiling.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 8, 2003 · about 3:52 am local time
- Place
- Milledgeville, Georgia · Baldwin County · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Beech A-36 · all A-36s on the register
- Registration
- N333RB · registry record · serial E1465
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Upon arriving at the destination airport, the pilot was issued an approach clearance for the GPS runway 10 approach. Approximately 12 minutes later, the pilot reported a missed approach. The pilot was issued another approach clearance and subsequently reported another missed approach. At 2236:29, the pilot was issued a third approach clearance. At 2249:07 the airplane was 6.6 miles from the airport, at 1200 feet, when radar contact with the airplane was lost. At 2300, a local resident reported a burning airplane in a field 2,350 feet from the approach end of runway 10. Post-accident examination of the accident site revealed that wreckage debris was scattered over an area 450 feet long and 75 feet wide. There were several areas along the wreckage path where there was fire damage, including the main wreckage. Examination of the airplane revealed both wing assemblies were lodged 53 feet and 47 feet above the ground in two trees approximately 20 feet apart. The cockpit and cabin areas of the airframe exhibited extensive fire damage. The empennage was intact and free from fire damage. The three-blade propeller had chord-wise scarring and leading edge gouges on all blades. The airplane's engine rotated and compression was noted in all six cylinders. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose any mechanical failures or system malfunctions. At 2253, Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Macon, Georgia, weather reporting facility, 33 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, reported overcast clouds at 300 feet, and temperature and dew point of 11 degrees Celsius. According to the Instrument Approach Procedure for GPS Runway 10, Milledgeville/Baldwin County, the minimum descent altitude (MDA) was 900 feet above mean sea level, 516 feet above the airport elevation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,300 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-BR0-15 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: DEX Dexter MO
- Destination: MLJ Milledgeville GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 10, 5,020 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 070° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 300 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 am from MCN, 33 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.