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 October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2005 · about 3:53 pm local time
- Place
- Williamson, Georgia · Williamson Peach State · 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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ATL05FA098.