Beech B19 accident near Whitesburg, Georgia, August 18, 2011
On August 18, 2011 at about 3:45 pm local time, a Beech B19, registered N281G, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Whitesburg, Georgia (Lyons Landing airport). It was a personal flight 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
The student pilot did not retract the wing flaps during a go-around, which decreased the airplane’s climb performance and resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 18, 2011 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Whitesburg, Georgia · Lyons Landing · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech B19 · all B19s on the register
- Registration
- N281G · no longer on the register · serial MB-614
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses observed the student pilot perform a go-around a few feet above the landing surface, about one-third of the way down the runway. They reported that the engine sounded normal; however, the airplane was not climbing and accelerating as expected. Several witnesses reported that the wing flaps remained extended during the go-around. The airplane collided with trees at the departure end of the runway and crashed into a cemetery. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure. Rotational damage to the propeller indicated that the engine was producing power at impact. Examination of the flap motor jack screw revealed that the flaps were extended about 30 degrees at impact. The Pilot's Operating Handbook procedures stated that the flaps must be raised during a balked landing (go-around).
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
- Miscellaneous/other during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR go-around)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › TE flap control system › Not used/operated
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 90 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-320-E3D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 5GA2 Whitesburg GA at 3:30 pm
- Destination: 5GA2 Whitesburg GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,000 ft by 90 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 3:35 pm from CTJ, 13 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.