Cessna 182B accident near Clayton, Georgia, July 27, 2014
On July 27, 2014 at about 8:45 pm local time, a 1958 Cessna 182B, registered N2275G, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Clayton, Georgia (Big Creek Flying Ranch 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 failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a tree and then obstacles during the subsequent aborted takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 2014 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Clayton, Georgia · Big Creek Flying Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182B, built 1958 · all 182Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2275G · no longer on the register · serial 51575
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he taxied to the approach end of runway 09, which is the designated runway for departures at this airfield due to "rapidly rising terrain to the immediate west of the field." At the time the wind was less than 3 knots and out of the southwest. The pilot initiated a soft field takeoff with some right rudder input to accommodate the runway's slight "dogleg right" as well as the prevailing wind conditions. After reaching about one quarter of the runway length the pilot encountered an "unexpected significant gust of wind." He applied full right rudder to arrest any left drift, which appeared to successfully counteract the wind gust. While flying less than a foot above the runway, the pilot glanced to his left at a fast approaching tree, which he dismissed as a factor. He then focused his attention forward and the left wingtip collided with a tree causing the airplane to yaw to the left. The airplane main landing gear touched down on the runway surface and the pilot aborted the takeoff. He applied maximum braking, but the airplane collided with a group of pallets and debris resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the wind at Toccoa Airport-RG Letourneau Field, located 15 nautical miles south of the accident airport, was reported from 250 at 9 knots gusting to 19 knots.
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
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Debris/dirt/foreign object › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 982 hours in all; 700.2 in this make and model; 23.2 in the last 90 days; 9.6 in the last 30 days; 895.2 as pilot in command; 3.2 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 30, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,907 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 25, 2013; 66 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental 0-470-L (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GA18 Clayton GA at 8:45 pm
- Destination: 7GA7 Stockbridge GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 2,800 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 9 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from TOC, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on August 20, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum of Record - Weather | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo 1 - Airplane at Accident Site (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 2 - Tree and Airplane at Accident Site (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.