Piper PA-32RT-300T accident near Wrens, Georgia, November 2, 1993
On November 2, 1993 at about 3:20 am local time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, registered N964ST, was destroyed in an accident near Wrens, Georgia. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 5 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
WAS THE FATIQUE FAILURE OF THE IDLER GEAR WHICH RESULTED IN THE COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 2, 1993 · about 3:20 am local time
- Place
- Wrens, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 5 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT-300T PA-32RT-30 · all PA-32RT-300Ts on the register
- Registration
- N964ST · registry record · serial 32RT887281
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT COULD NOT START THE AIRPLANE. ACCORDING TO LINE MAINTENANCE PERSON, THE PILOT WAS ASKED IF HE WANTED A 12 VOLT OR A 24 VOLT JUMP START. THE PILOT REPLIED THAT HE WANTED A 24 VOLT JUMP START. AFTER THE AIRPLANE STARTED THE FLIGHT DEPARTED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. WHILE CURISING AT 6000 FEET, THE PILOT REPORTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT INFORMED DEPARTURE CONTROL OF HIS PROBLEM AND REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. THE PILOT WAS ISSUED VECTORS TO THE WRENS MEMORIAL AIRPORT; THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE 1/4 MILE SHORT OF RUNWAY.
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; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 200 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,299 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 9, 1993; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: AGS Augusta GA at 3:01 am
- Destination: TMA Tifton GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:21 am from AGS, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ATL94FA011.