Piper PA-28-180 accident near Alma, Georgia, February 12, 2004
On February 12, 2004 at about 2:10 am local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N6473J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Alma, Georgia (Bacon County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision, and his failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in continued VFR flight into IMC and the subsequent collision with trees during approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 12, 2004 · about 2:10 am local time
- Place
- Alma, Georgia · Bacon County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N6473J · no longer on the register · serial 28-4900
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) with flight following and requested to descend toward the airport. An air traffic controller instructed the pilot to maintain VFR. The last recorded radar position for the flight was approximately 9 nautical miles southeast of the airport at 2,400 feet MSL. The controller stated to the pilot, "radar contact lost squawk VFR change to advisory frequency approved," and the pilot acknowledged. No further radio or radar contact was made with the flight. The wreckage was found at the base of broken trees in a wooded area 0.9 nm south southeast of the runway 33 threshold, approximately 1,100 feet left of a straight-in course for runway 33. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction was observed. The automated weather observing system at the airport reported calm winds, reduced visibility with light rain and mist, and low clouds at the approximate time of the accident.
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: 5,500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KFPR Fort Pierce FL
- Destination: KAMG Alma GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 4,999 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 1.8 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,600 ft; scat at 600 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 2:04 am from KAMG, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.