Piper PA-28-140 accident near Ellijay, Georgia, April 23, 2008
On April 23, 2008 at about 2:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N333KQ, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Ellijay, Georgia (Gilmer County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 23, 2008 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Ellijay, Georgia · Gilmer County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N333KQ · registry record · serial 28-7325325
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After landing the airplane with the intent of obtaining fuel, the pilot learned that fuel services were not available at the airport and subsequently obtained 5 gallons of automotive fuel that he added to the left fuel tank. Following a pre-departure engine run-up, the takeoff proceeded normally until, about 200 feet above the ground when the engine began losing partial power, which was followed by a total power loss. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the problem, and stated that he "switched [fuel] tanks" as the airplane descended. The airplane impacted trees about 2,000 feet from the runway and came to rest. Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed that both fuel tanks remained intact. About 4.5 gallons of fuel were drained from the left fuel tank, and a trace amount of fuel was observed in the right fuel tank. The fuel selector valve was positioned to the right fuel tank position. A subsequent test run of the engine revealed that it started almost immediately and ran at low, intermediate, and high power settings. Examination of maintenance records revealed that the engine was last overhauled nearly 25 years prior to the accident flight.
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 engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 600 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,420 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 6, 2007; 187 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 49A Elijay GA at 2:00 pm
- Destination: PDK Atlanta GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 3,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 2:00 pm from DNN, 30 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
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.