Piper PA-28-181 accident near Columbus, Georgia, July 27, 2013
On July 27, 2013 at about 2:22 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-181, registered N371JB, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Columbus, Georgia (Columbus Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's perceived lack of performance for reasons that could not be determined due to insufficient information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 2013 · about 2:22 pm local time
- Place
- Columbus, Georgia · Columbus Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-181 · all PA-28-181s on the register
- Registration
- N371JB · no longer on the register · serial 28-8490106
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Another pilot reported that she had aborted a takeoff on a previous flight in the accident airplane when she felt that the engine was not developing sufficient power. The accident pilot subsequently arrived at the airport, they "checked everything again," and he attempted to take off. However, both pilots again "felt the same thing," and the accident pilot aborted that takeoff attempt. The accident pilot subsequently attempted to take off again, but, after feeling that the engine was not developing enough power, he decided to land straight ahead. During the landing, the airplane bounced once and overran the runway end; it then pivoted 180 degrees before coming to a stop. The accident pilot also indicated that he and the other pilot originally thought that there was an airspeed indication problem. The accident pilot looked at the pitot head after his first aborted takeoff and noticed debris, which he removed. He then performed a high-speed taxi test to ensure that the airspeed indicator was functioning properly before the final takeoff attempt. The airplane was sold for parts before it could be further examined for possible performance-related anomalies.
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 takeoff
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 255 hours in all; 215 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 13, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,900 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 10 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER (piston); 6,900 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CSG Columbus GA at 2:22 pm
- Destination: CSG Columbus GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 3,997 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 2:51 pm from CSG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.