Boeing PT 17 accident near Williamson, Georgia, May 20, 2015
On May 20, 2015 at about 3:20 pm local time, a 1943 Boeing PT 17, registered N55528, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Williamson, Georgia (Peach State airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot landed off the right side of the runway resulting in a collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 20, 2015 · about 3:20 pm local time
- Place
- Williamson, Georgia · Peach State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Boeing PT 17 UNDESIGNAT, built 1943 · all PT 17s on the register
- Registration
- N55528 · registry record · serial 75-4611
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he misjudged the edge of the runway during the final approach segment of the flight and landed off the right side of the runway. The pilot attempted to realign the airplane back onto the runway but was unable to do so, subsequently the airplane impacted a ditch and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the right lift strut and rudder. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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 control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (landing roll)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 25,000 hours in all; 950 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 25,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 2, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,575 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 9, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental W670-16 (piston); 2,547 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GA16 Bostwick GA at 2:40 pm
- Destination: GA2 Williamson GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 2,400 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 3:15 pm from K6A2, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on July 1, 2015. 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 | Photo 1 - Front of Airplane (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo 2 - Rear of Airplane (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | 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.