Beech A35 accident near Americus, Georgia, May 3, 2008
On May 3, 2008 at about 10:35 pm local time, a Beech A35, registered N546B, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Americus, Georgia (Souther Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control during the initial climb for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 3, 2008 · about 10:35 pm local time
- Place
- Americus, Georgia · Souther Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A35 · all A35s on the register
- Registration
- N546B · registry record · serial D-1564
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A lineman on the field reported seeing the accident airplane taxi out from its parking place to the runway and begin the takeoff roll without performing a run-up inspection of the airplane. The lineman further reported that the pilot appeared to be "in a hurry." Another eyewitness who was located inside a hangar near the departure end of the runway reported hearing the engine of the airplane accelerate. When he stepped outside the hangar he saw the airplane coming towards him and began a gentle roll to his right until the wings were perpendicular to the ground. He did not see the airplane impact the ground; however, he stated that he never heard the engine falter and that it was running at takeoff power until the sound of impact. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact deficiencies.
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,430 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,155 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 5, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E-185-8 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: ACJ Americus GA at 10:35 pm
- Destination: EKY Bessemer AL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 6,021 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 10:35 pm from CGS, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.