Amateur-built RENEGADE SPIRIT accident near Brunswick, Georgia, December 13, 2014
On December 13, 2014 at about 6:40 pm local time, a 1995 amateur-built RENEGADE SPIRIT, registered N955R, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Brunswick, Georgia (Mckinnon St Simons Island airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to fly the airplane with known engine deficiencies and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control after takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 13, 2014 · about 6:40 pm local time
- Place
- Brunswick, Georgia · Mckinnon St Simons Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RENEGADE SPIRIT, built 1995
- Registration
- N955R · registry record · serial 103P
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot had owned the experimental amateur-built airplane for about 3 years but had never flown it. He had performed several hours of taxi and ground tests while troubleshooting the operation of the engine that he had installed in the airplane. On the day of the accident, the pilot told an acquaintance that he had been having trouble with the airplane's brakes and that the engine was idling too high. After adjusting the carburetor, engine operation seemed to have improved, and the pilot said that he might try flying the airplane. The acquaintance cautioned the pilot against doing so given the condition of the brakes and inconsistent engine operation; however, the pilot proceeded to the runway and departed. Two witnesses near the accident site saw the airplane in a left bank as though the pilot was attempting to return to the runway. One of the witnesses, who was a pilot, heard the engine lose power and saw the airplane descend in a manner consistent with an aerodynamic stall. Postaccident examination revealed that all flight controls were continuous from the cockpit to their respective control surfaces. The fuel lines to the engine were unobstructed. Examination of the engine revealed continuity throughout and established compression on all cylinders; however, no further examination of the engine or its accessories was performed, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. The airplane's descent and impact attitude were consistent with a loss of control due to an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall following a loss of engine power.
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 takeoff
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Malfunction
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,640 hours in all; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SSI Brunswick GA at 6:40 pm
- Destination: SSI Brunswick GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 5,584 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from SSI
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.