Amateur-built Sky Bolt accident near Cumming, Georgia, July 9, 2005
On July 9, 2005 at about 2:04 pm local time, a amateur-built Sky Bolt, registered N250SE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cumming, Georgia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper fuel management while maneuvering resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 9, 2005 · about 2:04 pm local time
- Place
- Cumming, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Sky Bolt
- Registration
- N250SE · no longer on the register · serial 01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses stated that the airplane made a low pass over runway 13 between 30 to 50 feet. The airplane was observed to initiate a climb at mid field and an increase in engine power was heard. The airplane started a left bank and the engine sputtered and lost power on the cross wind turn. One witness stated it sounded as if the pilot was attempting to restart the airplane engine. The airplane leveled off, started descending very rapidly, disappeared from view behind a tree line, and collided with an embankment. Examination of the crash site revealed the main fuel tank was ruptured and fuel had leaked out of the fuel tank. The wing fuel tank was not ruptured and had a small amount of fuel present. The fuel selector valve was found in the off position. All personnel who responded to the accident site stated they did not move the fuel selector valve to the off position. The fuel selector valve was removed and verified it was in the off position. The fuel selector valve was manually operated with no anomalies noted. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies. Toxicology findings were consistent with the pre-accident use of fluoxetine, a prescription antidepressant, and cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant. Neither medication was noted on the pilot's last application for a medical certificate.
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
- Flight time: 890 hours in all
- Last flight review: June 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 84 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2005; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PDK Atlanta GA at 1:55 pm
- Destination: GVL Gainesville GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 pm from LZU, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.