Czech Sport Aircraft As PIPER SPORT accident near Peachtree City, Georgia, June 29, 2014
On June 29, 2014 at about 1:17 pm local time, a 2010 Czech Sport Aircraft As PIPER SPORT, registered N957MD, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Peachtree City, Georgia (Atlanta Regional 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 pilot's incomplete assessment of the risk presented by operating an airplane with an unresolved history of engine power losses; a partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to operation of the engine with an excessively rich fuel/air mixture; and the pilot's subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2014 · about 1:17 pm local time
- Place
- Peachtree City, Georgia · Atlanta Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Czech Sport Aircraft As PIPER SPORT, built 2010 · all PIPER SPORTs on the register
- Registration
- N957MD · no longer on the register · serial P1001022
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
**This report was modified on March 17, 2021. Please see the public docket for this accident to view the original report.** The private pilot, who was aware that the light sport airplane's engine had not been functioning normally, took off to fly to another airport where an engine-specific mechanic was located. Downloaded avionics data indicated that, during the airplane's initial climb after takeoff, engine rpm decreased about 14%. Beyond the end of the runway, about 50 ft above ground level, the airplane's pitch attitude increased to about 19°, while roll increased to about 28°. The airplane exceeded its critical angle of attack and entered an aerodynamic stall, impacting the ground in a nose-low attitude. Due to his injuries, the pilot could not recall the accident sequence of events or his actions after takeoff. Subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the spark plugs were mostly black in color and some were encrusted with debris. It is likely that, during the takeoff, a fouled spark plug did not provide adequate voltage to the firing tip, and a cylinder did not fire properly. Fouled spark plugs are consistent with a very rich fuel mixture; however, the reason for the rich mixture could not be determined.
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 (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Incorrect service/maintenance
- factor Personnel issues › Psychological › Personality/attitude › Confidence/reliance on equip › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 111 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 0.6 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: November 11, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 114 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 20, 2013; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 114 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FFC Peachtree City GA at 1:15 pm
- Destination: CCO Newnan GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 5,219 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from FFC
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.