Beech B90 accident near Atlanta, Georgia, December 28, 2025
On December 28, 2025 at about 2:35 pm local time, a 1969 Beech B90, registered N40BA, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (IFR final approach) near Atlanta, Georgia (Dekalb-Peachtree Airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. 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
- December 28, 2025 · about 2:35 pm local time
- Place
- Atlanta, Georgia · Dekalb-Peachtree Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech B90, built 1969 · all B90s on the register
- Registration
- N40BA · registry record · serial LJ-444
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On December 28, 2025, about 0935 eastern standard time, a Beech B90 airplane, N40BA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia. The pilot received minor injuries, and the copilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The pilot reported that on the day before the accident flight, he instructed the fixed base operator (FBO) to fill the airplane’s fuel tanks. On the morning of the accident, FBO personnel informed the pilot that the airplane was fueled with 152 gallons of fuel. During the preflight inspection, the pilot observed the fuel quantity gauges indicated full. The airplane departed Miami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami, Florida, about 0628, under an instrument flight rules flight plan destined for Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Atlanta, Georgia. The airplane climbed to about 11,000 ft mean sea level and cruised in clear en route weather conditions. Weather at the destination airport included low cloud ceilings, and nearby airports were identified as alternates. About 43 nautical miles from PDK, the pilot directed the copilot to calculate the remaining fuel, which was reported as about 112 gallons remaining. Approach control approved a request to divert to Dobbins ARB Airport (MGE), Marietta, Georgia; however, shortly thereafter, air traffic control reported improved weather conditions at PDK, and the flight crew requested vectors for an approach. The airplane was vectored for the instrument landing system (ILS) runway 21L approach at PDK. While configuring the airplane near the final approach fix, which included the extension of the landing gear and flaps, the pilot reported a total loss of engine power on both engines, accompanied by illumination of all cockpit warning lights. The pilot initiated a shallow right turn to avoid residential structures and performed a forced landing to a wooded area in a residential neighborhood. During the landing, the airplane impacted trees and terrain before coming to rest about 2.4 nautical miles northeast of the approach end of runway 21L. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings, empennage, and fuselage. The airplane 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 (total) during approach (IFR final approach) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,922.8 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 29, 2025; 47 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 9,650 lb
- Seats: 9
- Landing gear: retractable
- Operator: Lux Air
The flight
- Departed from: TMB Miami FL at 11:35 am
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 21L, 6,001 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 9:41 am from PDK, 3 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPDK 281441Z 17003KT 5SM BR BKN020 OVC047 17/15 A3010 RMK AO2 T01720150
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 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.