Piper PA-34-200 accident near Folkston, Georgia, December 19, 2008
On December 19, 2008 at about 3:47 am local time, a Piper PA-34-200, registered N699G, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Folkston, Georgia (Davis Field). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student's improper flare and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 19, 2008 · about 3:47 am local time
- Place
- Folkston, Georgia · Davis Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-200 · all PA-34-200s on the register
- Registration
- N699G · no longer on the register · serial 34-7250338
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor of the Piper PA-34-200 stated that following an uneventful cross-country flight, his student configured the airplane for landing. On the final approach to the 2,500-foot-long by 50-foot-wide runway, the instructor advised the student that he was "low" and to "add some power." The student complied, and about the time the airplane reached the runway threshold, the student reduced the power as he flared the airplane. The airplane touched down "harder than normal and bounced." The flight instructor took control of the airplane and applied the brakes after it touched down a second time. The airplane bounced again, and when it touched down the third time, the flight instructor applied the brakes fully in an attempt to stop. The instructor considered aborting the landing, but did not believe that enough runway remained. The airplane departed the end of the runway, and went down an embankment into a ditch, resulting in substantial damage.
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
What happened, in order
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Student pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 202 hours in all; 14 in this make and model; 66 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 132 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 14, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,380 hours in all; 75 in this make and model; 292 in the last 90 days; 104 in the last 30 days; 1,266 as pilot in command; 998 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 12, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,538 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 6, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 4,200 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Silver Express CO
The flight
- Departed from: 42J Keystone Height FL at 3:45 am
- Destination: 3J6 Folkston GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,500 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observation at 3:56 am from JAX, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 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.