Amateur-built EAA BI-PLANE accident near Easley, South Carolina, March 23, 2003
On March 23, 2003 at about 8:41 pm local time, a amateur-built EAA BI-PLANE, registered N22PJ, was substantially damaged in an accident near Easley, South Carolina (Williamsport Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilots failure to maintain clearance while maneuvering on initial climb out resulting in an in-flight collision with a residence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 23, 2003 · about 8:41 pm local time
- Place
- Easley, South Carolina · Williamsport Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built EAA BI-PLANE
- Registration
- N22PJ · no longer on the register · serial DA6-116-101
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was observed on initial climb out making a shallow left turn before it collided with a private residence. The pilot did not experience mechanical problems with the airplane, and she did not remember hitting the private residence. Examination of the airplane, engine assembly, and flight controls revealed no deficiencies.
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
- Flight time: 695 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 608 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 23, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 479 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 20, 2002; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,250 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SC86 Easley SC at 8:40 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 1,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from GMU, 12 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.