Amateur-built Flaglor Scooter accident near Griffin, Georgia, March 30, 2009
On March 30, 2009 at about 5:00 pm local time, a amateur-built Flaglor Scooter, registered N3248Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Griffin, Georgia (Beaverbrook Aerodrome airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the engine-driven fuel pump. Contributing to the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing and the pilot’s preexisting medical condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 30, 2009 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Griffin, Georgia · Beaverbrook Aerodrome · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Flaglor Scooter
- Registration
- N3248Q · registry record · serial 347
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was test flying the airplane following adjustment of the horizontal stabilizer and installation of an in-line fuel primer pump. Shortly after takeoff, the engine began to lose power. The pilot turned to the right to avoid obstacles and lowered the nose to maintain gliding speed. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. Examination of the engine revealed the automotive-type engine-driven fuel pump failed. The pump actuator spring was broken and fell out when the pump was removed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the pilot had been informed prior to the accident that he was not medically fit to fly because of the loss of part of his left arm. The pilot did not possess a current FAA medical certificate.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel pumps › Failure
- factor Personnel issues › Physical › Health/Fitness › Predisposing condition › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,250 hours in all; 289 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 2,250 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 2, 2007
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 308 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 2, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 625 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen 1600 Conv. (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 10GA Griffin GA at 5:00 pm
- Destination: 10GA Griffin GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 2,100 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; a few clouds at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 4:52 pm from ATL, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.