Beech D95A accident near Athens, Georgia, April 29, 2004
On April 29, 2004 at about 5:43 pm local time, a Beech D95A, registered N7908M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Athens, Georgia (Athens / Ben Epps airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's misjudgment of airspeed and distance which resulted in an overshoot of the runway and collision with ground. The tailwind was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 29, 2004 · about 5:43 pm local time
- Place
- Athens, Georgia · Athens / Ben Epps · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech D95A · all D95As on the register
- Registration
- N7908M · no longer on the register · serial TD663
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot initially called Athens Air Traffic Control Tower 7 miles south of the airport and was instructed to report a right base for runway 09. The pilot called 2 minutes later on a long right base for runway 09. The pilot was cleared to land on runway 09 at that time. The pilot called the tower back 1 mile on final for runway 02, saying he was on final for runway 09. The Tower informed the pilot that he was on final for runway 02 and was cleared to land. The pilot acknowledged the clearance for runway 02 and proceeded to land. The pilot stated to the airport assistant manager that he landed fast and past the numbers. The pilot applied brakes and the aircraft went severely to the right side of the runway; reporting there was no left brake. The airplane was centered again on the runway and the pilot re-applied the brakes. The airplane veered to the right again; reportedly still no left brake. The pilot could not stop the airplane. There was not enough runway left to take off, so the pilot decided to let the airplane exit off the end of the runway into the grass and roll to a stop. Upon entering the grass at the end of the runway, the pilot saw a fence on the downward slope of a gulley. The pilot then decided to add power and lower the flaps to the "fly" over the fence and gulley. The pilot cleared the fence and gulley. However, after landing on the opposite side the nose gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane revealed the nose gear collapsed, damage to the nose cone, brakes, right wing spar and the tail. Damage to both propellers and engines were due to propeller strikes.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,200 hours in all; 28 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 29 in the last 30 days; 1,130 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 27, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,258.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 9, 2003; 105 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming IO-360 BIB (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming IO-360 BIB (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Travelers Air LLC
The flight
- Departed from: ISM Orlando FL at 3:45 pm
- Destination: AHN Athens GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 02, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,500 ft; clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.35 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from KAHN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.