Cessna 172 accident near Sandersville, Georgia, October 11, 2025
On October 11, 2025, a 1966 Cessna 172, registered N4390L, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Sandersville, Georgia (Kaolin Fld airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 11, 2025
- Place
- Sandersville, Georgia · Kaolin Fld · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 G, built 1966 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N4390L · registry record · serial 17254471
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On October 10, 2025, about 2015 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172G, N4390L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Sandersville, Geogia. The pilot was not injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. According to the pilot, maintenance had just been completed on the airplane, and the purpose of this flight was to take it back to the airport where the airplane was based. He performed a normal preflight inspection of the airplane and stated that the engine run-up was normal. The pilot also confirmed that he had used a measuring stick to check the fuel quantity. During the departure, he reported that the airplane left the ground, but about 250 ft above ground level, the engine rpm began to drop. The pilot attempted to quickly troubleshoot by “pumping” the throttle lever and verifying the fuel selector position. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude and impacted the tops of trees. A postaccident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the wing fuel tanks contained fluid that smelled and appeared visually consistent with automotive fuel. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The airplane contained avionics that were capable of recording airframe and engine data. These were retained for further examination and data download. The wreckage was retained for further examination.
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 defining event
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 3, 2025; 55 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Aero Science International LLC
The flight
- Destination: AGS Augusta GA
- Runway 31, 5,501 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 pm from KMLJ, 22 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KMLJ 110115Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN070 19/15 A3011 RMK AO2=
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 NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.