Amateur-built DH-82-C accident near Franklin, Georgia, May 21, 2005
On May 21, 2005 at about 3:49 pm local time, a amateur-built DH-82-C, registered N82CQ, was substantially damaged in an accident near Franklin, Georgia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total failure of the left magneto resulting in a partial loss of engine power on initial takeoff climb, forced landing, and in-flight collision with wires and the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 21, 2005 · about 3:49 pm local time
- Place
- Franklin, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DH-82-C
- Registration
- N82CQ · registry record · serial 327
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated he conducted an engine run up and the airplane experienced a magneto drop. A subsequent check of the magnetos revealed no anomalies. The pilot departed from runway 24 and the airplane was about 50- feet above the ground when the engine experienced a partial loss of engine power and a reduction in engine rpm. The pilot initiated a forced landing and the airplane collided with power lines and the ground. Examination of the engine assembly and fuel system revealed no anomalies. The left and right magnetos were removed. The right magneto was turned by hand and spark was present on all ignition towers. The left magneto would not produce an ignition spark when turned by hand. The left magneto was disassembled. The coil was removed and internal oil from the coil was present on the rotor and housing.
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
- Flight time: 5,042 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 4,569 as pilot in command; 1,199 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,700 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2004; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,825 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: De Havilland Gipsy Major (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 8GA1 Franklin GA at 3:48 pm
- Destination: 6J4 Saluda SC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,200 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 4:00 pm from CCO, 20 miles away
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.