Beech 58 accident near Gainesville, Georgia, May 6, 2018
On May 6, 2018 at about 7:06 pm local time, a 1982 Beech 58, registered N406PA, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Gainesville, Georgia (Lee Gilmer Memorial airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 6, 2018 · about 7:06 pm local time
- Place
- Gainesville, Georgia · Lee Gilmer Memorial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 58 UNDESIGNAT, built 1982 · all 58s on the register
- Registration
- N406PA · registry record · serial TH-1338
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, the airplane hit the runway unexpectedly, and he initiated a go-around by adding full power. He added that the airplane struck the runway again, but he continued the go-around. Subsequently, the pilot diverted to an alternate airport and landed without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane had sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 350° at 13 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The pilot attempted to land on runway 29.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during approach (VFR go-around)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,633 hours in all; 1,373 in this make and model; 26 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: February 27, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,402.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 12, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 5,450 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental IO-520-CB9F (piston); 463 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental IO-520-CB9F (piston); 463 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LUK Cincinnati OH
- Destination: GVL Gainesville GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 29, 4,001 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 13 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KGVL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on August 9, 2018. 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 | Accident Photo | 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.