Hawker Beechcraft CORP G36 accident near Gainesville, Georgia, February 9, 2026
On February 9, 2026 at about 10:32 pm local time, a 2010 Hawker Beechcraft CORP G36, registered N229TT, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Gainesville, Georgia (Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. 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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 9, 2026 · about 10:32 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Gainesville, Georgia · Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hawker Beechcraft CORP G36, built 2010
- Registration
- N229TT · registry record · serial E-3929
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On February 09, 2026, about 1732 eastern standard time, a Beechcraft G36, N229TT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Gainesville, Georgia. The pilot and flight instructor were uninjured, and two occupants of separate automobiles received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to build flight hours with a flight instructor to satisfy insurance requirements for single-pilot operations. Preliminary ADS-B data showed that after departing from Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport (GVL), Gainesville, Georgia, the airplane flew north about 115 miles and performed an approach to the Knoxville Downtown Island Airport (DKX), Knoxville, Tennessee. Shortly after departing DKX, the airplane flew about 90 miles east and landed at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI), Blountville, Tennessee. The airplane then departed TRI and returned to GVL. Shortly after arriving at GVL, the airplane departed again and flew northwest for about 4 miles. The airplane then made a 180° left turn and proceeded back toward GVL. After flying for about 2 miles, the airplane made another left turn and lined up with Browns Ridge Rd. The last preliminary data point showed the airplane flying just above Browns Bridge Rd. The pilot and flight instructor reported that the previous legs of the flight were uneventful and the airplane operated normally. The flight instructor reported that the second takeoff and departure from GVL was normal; however, during the climb to their cruise altitude, the engine rpm gauge indicated over 3,400 rpm (the maximum rpm of the engine was 2,700 rpm). The engine rpm subsequently fluctuated between 1,600 and 3,400, and the engine ran rough and sputtered. They initiated a return to GVN, but determined they would be unable to reach the runway, and elected to perform a forced landing to Browns Bridge Rd. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted 3 automobiles. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed it had sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage. 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 (total) during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: GVL Gainesville GA at 5:02 pm
- Destination: CNI Cherokee GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observation at 12:00 pm from KGVL, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KGVL 091653Z AUTO 08005KT 10SM CLR 08/M06 A3029 RMK AO2 SLP257 T00781056
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N229TT on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Lee Gilmer Memorial · nearest airport
- Cherokee County Regional · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Georgia 2,138 since 1982 · 361 in the last ten years
- Georgia 8,807 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA26LA109.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.