Amateur-built SKYBOLT accident near Yatesville, Georgia, September 2, 1991
On September 2, 1991 at about 7:00 pm local time, a amateur-built SKYBOLT, registered N9FB, was destroyed in an accident near Yatesville, Georgia (None airport). 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 PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE DURING MANEUVERING FLIGHT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 2, 1991 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Yatesville, Georgia · None · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SKYBOLT
- Registration
- N9FB · no longer on the register · serial 001
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS FLYING WITH A PASSENGER OVER HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. WHILE AT 800 FEET AGL, HE MADE A SHARP, 180-DEGREE TURN TO THE LEFT. WHILE IN THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE RAPIDLY LOST ALTITUDE. HE THEN REVERSED THE TURN SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AND PREPARED TO LAND. WHILE IN THE SHARP, RIGHT TURN, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A LAKE THAT WAS LOCATED ABOUT 50 FEET FROM THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, AND FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS CONFIRMED.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,147 hours in all; 88 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 17, 1991; 110 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 2,500 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.