Cessna TP206 accident near Epworth, Georgia, June 10, 1993
On June 10, 1993 at about 12:50 pm local time, a Cessna TP206, registered N5719J, was destroyed in an accident near Epworth, Georgia. 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 FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VERTICAL CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TREES WHILE MANEUVERING WHICH RESULTED IN THE COLLISION WITH TREES.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 10, 1993 · about 12:50 pm local time
- Place
- Epworth, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TP206 · all TP206s on the register
- Registration
- N5719J · no longer on the register · serial TP2066006A
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S WIFE, THE PILOT WOULD CUSTOMARILY OVERFLY HIS HOME UPON RETURNING FROM A FLIGHT. BUT, AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT, THE PILOT WAS ON THE DEPARTURE LEG OF THE FLIGHT AND HIS WIFE WAS NOT EXPECTING A FLYBY. THE PILOT'S WIFE WAS IN THE FAMILY'S GARDEN WHEN SHE OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE AS IT APPROACHED FROM THE NORTH; THE AIRPLANE FLEW OVER HER POSITION AND SHE WAVED AT HER HUSBAND. THE PILOT'S WIFE ALSO REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS SEVERAL FEET ABOVE THE TREES WHEN THE PILOT STARTED A LEFT TURN. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON A RIDGE SOUTHEAST OF THE PILOT'S WIFE'S POSITION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE FELL TO THE GROUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR A COMPONENT FAILURE.
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: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 12,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,500 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 28, 1993; 80 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-C (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 1A3 Copperhill TN at 12:40 pm
- Destination: MMI Athens TN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 12:00 pm from CHA, 40 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.