Beech T-34A accident near Rydal, Georgia, April 19, 1999
On April 19, 1999 at about 4:46 pm local time, a Beech T-34A, registered N140SW, was destroyed in an accident near Rydal, Georgia. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Fracture of the wing spar as a result of fatigue cracking that occurred over an unknown number of flights and flight hours with a wing loading spectrum not anticipated during design of the airplane. This report was modified on November 2, 2005.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 19, 1999 · about 4:46 pm local time
- Place
- Rydal, Georgia
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech T-34A · all T-34As on the register
- Registration
- N140SW · registry record · serial G-130
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The simulated combat flight made a course change maneuver associated with a climb or a descent. The accident airplane preformed the maneuver with a descending left turn. While descending and turning, the safety pilot instructed the client to turn harder and to bury the nose. While following the safety pilot's instructions the right wing assembly separated from the airframe. The main airplane wreckage collided with the ground along the edge of a wooded area of a subdivision. The right wing assembly was located approximately 1/2 mile north of the main wreckage. Examination of the airplane disclosed fatigue cracking in the spar material in the vicinity of wing spar fracture face. The T-34A design 'G' load limits are +6.0 and -3.0. This report was modified on November 2, 2005.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 15,500 hours in all; 450 in this make and model; 165 in the last 90 days; 65 in the last 30 days; 14,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,200 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 2, 1999; 140 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FTY at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from FTY, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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 ATL99FA072.