Piper PA 46-350P accident near Brunswick, Georgia, April 30, 2007
On April 30, 2007, a Piper PA 46-350P, registered N555ES, was substantially damaged in an accident near Brunswick, Georgia (Malcolm Mc Kinnon airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the attempted takeoff above the airplane's maximum gross weight, and an undetermined partial power loss, as reported by the pilot.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 30, 2007
- Place
- Brunswick, Georgia · Malcolm Mc Kinnon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 46-350P · all PA 46-350Ps on the register
- Registration
- N555ES · no longer on the register · serial 4622129
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was about 175 pounds above its maximum gross takeoff weight, as it departed from a 5,800-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot reported that the engine experienced a momentary loss of power during the takeoff roll and he elected to continue the takeoff. The airplane appeared to be performing normally; however, just prior to lift off, the engine rpm sounded like it decreased. The airplane lifted off the runway; but felt "sluggish and underpowered." The pilot elected to abort the takeoff and landed hard on the runway. The right main landing gear tire blew out, and the aft wing spars on both wings were damaged. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. The pilot reported 1,066 hours of total flight experience, which included 31 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,066 hours in all; 31 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 24 in the last 30 days; 1,005 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,218 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2006; 116 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,300 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SSI Brunswick GA
- Destination: EVV Evansville IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 4, 5,800 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from SSI
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.
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.