William P. Crowell Genesis accident near Warm Springs, Georgia, February 8, 2008
On February 8, 2008 at about 8:45 pm local time, a William P. Crowell Genesis, registered N3449, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Warm Springs, Georgia (Roosevelt Memorial Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during final approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 8, 2008 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Warm Springs, Georgia · Roosevelt Memorial Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- William P. Crowell Genesis
- Registration
- N3449 · no longer on the register · serial 17
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while on final approach at approximately 25 feet above ground level, for a third touch-and-go landing on runway 17, the airplane suddenly yawed 90 degrees to the right. He applied full power and the engine responded, but the airplane contacted the ground, bounced, then was, "...pushed to the ground." The airplane collided with bushes then came to rest. He further stated there was no mechanical failure or malfunction.
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 in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 216 hours in all; 216 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: April 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 215 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 1, 2007; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 5A9 Warm Springs GA at 3:00 pm
- Destination: 5A9 Warm Springs GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 8:40 pm from KLGC, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N3449 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.