Amateur-built J250 accident near Louisville, Georgia, June 3, 2023
On June 3, 2023 at about 9:09 pm local time, a 2007 amateur-built J250, registered N828WD, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Louisville, Georgia (Louisville Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s decision to take off in wind conditions that exceeded his ability to maintain directional control, resulting in a runway excursion and substantial damage to the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 3, 2023 · about 9:09 pm local time
- Place
- Louisville, Georgia · Louisville Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built J250, built 2007
- Registration
- N828WD · registry record · serial 327
- 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, during the takeoff roll, the airplane started to drift left of the runway centerline. He responded with right rudder; however, the airplane continued to drift to the left. He continued to add right rudder until the pedals reached the hard stop. The airplane departed the runway surface and entered a rough, grassy area. The airplane’s nose landing gear collapsed, and the wreckage came to rest nose down, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. A postaccident examination of the flight controls, wheel brakes, and tires did not reveal evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure. The pilot reported that there were thunderstorms in the area. There was no wind information available for the departure airport; however, several airports in the area reported gusting wind conditions. The closest recorded observation noted distant lightning to the west. Based on this information, it is likely that the pilot encountered wind conditions that exceeded his ability to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
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
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 857 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 857 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 2, 2022
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 545 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 1, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 3300A (piston); 545 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 5,002 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 7 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from KSBO, 23 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSBO 032055Z AUTO 05007G14KT 10SM SCT120 30/17 A2977 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT W
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on June 26, 2024. 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 Written Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Memorandum of Record - Pilot Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Weather Data | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | NTSB Wreckage Examination Summary | PDF, 10 pages | 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.