Gulfstream AA-5 accident near Ridgeland, South Carolina, February 16, 1985
On February 16, 1985 at about 2:15 am local time, a Gulfstream AA-5, registered N5823L, was destroyed in an accident near Ridgeland, South Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 16, 1985 · about 2:15 am local time
- Place
- Ridgeland, South Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Gulfstream AA-5
- Registration
- N5823L · no longer on the register · serial AA5-0023
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
APPROX 3.75 HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT CONTACTED SAVANNAH APPROACH AND REQUESTED A STRAIGHT IN APPROACH TO LAND AT SAVANNAH AIRPORT BECAUSE OF LOW FUEL. MOMENTS LATER THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD 10 MILES NE OF SAVANNAH AIRPORT. RESCUE PERSONNEL AT THE ACCIDENT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL ONBOARD THE ACFT OR SPILLED AROUND THE WRECKAGE.
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: 112 hours in all; 17 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 89 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GWW Goldsboro NC at 10:30 pm
- Destination: SAV Savannah GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:20 am from SAV, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 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.