An amateur-built aircraft accident near Auburn, Alabama, May 23, 1989
On May 23, 1989 at about 1:46 pm local time, a an amateur-built aircraft, registered N253LC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Auburn, Alabama (Auburn-Opelika airport). It was a personal 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 PREMATURE LIFT-OFF WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL INTO TREES.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 23, 1989 · about 1:46 pm local time
- Place
- Auburn, Alabama · Auburn-Opelika · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- An amateur-built aircraft
- Registration
- N253LC · no longer on the register · serial 3013
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE TURBOPROP HOMEBUILT LIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY AT A SLOW AIRSPEED AND HIGH PITCH ANGLE. IT THEN ROLLED TO LEFT AND SETTLED INTO TREES. DUE TO THE SUBTANTIAL P-FACTOR AND TORQUE OF THE TURBOPROP ENGINE, TAKEOFF THRUST IS NORMALLY NOT APPLIED UNTIL SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED FOR RUDDER EFFECTIVENESS IS ATTAINED.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine sea; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 326 hours in all; 170 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Allison 250-8170 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Destination: DAB Daytona Beach FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 18, 4,950 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 40,000 ft; scat at 1,200 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:52 pm from CSG, 21 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.