Fairchild M-62A-3 accident near Williamson, Georgia, June 16, 2005
On June 16, 2005 at about 3:53 pm local time, a Fairchild M-62A-3, registered N26GA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Williamson, Georgia (Williamson Peach State airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to follow the before takeoff checklist and attempted a takeoff with flaps extended, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2005 · about 3:53 pm local time · cases in 2005
- Place
- Williamson, Georgia · Williamson Peach State · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Fairchild M-62A-3 · all M-62A-3s on the register
- Registration
- N26GA · registry record · serial T43433
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot elected to takeoff up slope from the 2800 foot long runway with a 7 knot tailwind. After the airplane cleared a stand of trees on the departure end of the runway, it descended below the tree tops and collided with trees and the ground. Examination of the airplane at the accident site found the wing flaps in the full down position. According to the before takeoff checklist, wing flaps are retracted for takeoff. There were no mechanical problems discovered during the post accident examination.
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 (unmanned)
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 22,908 hours in all; 146 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
Dual student
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,931 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,743.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2005; 19.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Ranger 6-44005 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FFC Peachtree City GA at 2:53 pm
- Destination: GA2 Williamson GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 3,000 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 4:25 pm from 6A2, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N26GA on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Fairchild M-62 186 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Fairchild 616 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Ranger 6-44005 · as the NTSB recorded it
- Thomas Ridge Airport · nearest airport
- Atlanta Regional Falcon Field · departed from
- Peach State Aerodrome · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Georgia 2,138 since 1982 · 361 in the last ten years
- Georgia 8,803 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ATL05FA098.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.