Gulfstream American Corp. AA-5A accident near Lewisburg, Tennessee, May 17, 2008
On May 17, 2008 at about 5:59 pm local time, a Gulfstream American Corp. AA-5A, registered N26975, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Lewisburg, Tennessee (Ellington Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason during the initial climb, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while attempting to return to the airport resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 2008 · about 5:59 pm local time
- Place
- Lewisburg, Tennessee · Ellington Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Gulfstream American Corp. AA-5A
- Registration
- N26975 · no longer on the register · serial AA50845
- 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 the accident flight was the airplane's first flight since completion of an annual inspection. He performed a preflight inspection and engine run-up, and reported that all gauges were "in the green." During the takeoff roll, the pilot stated that the engine felt "strong." The airplane rotated normally; however, at an altitude of 150 feet above ground level (agl), the engine began to sputter and lose power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot began a turn back to the runway. During the turn the airplane entered a stall/spin and collided with terrain at the end of the runway. A witness observed a trail of black smoke coming from the airplane's exhaust during the takeoff sequence. Postaccident examination of the engine and carburetor did not reveal the cause for the loss of power.
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 (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 989 hours in all; 684 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: January 11, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,533 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 28, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,206 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LUG Lewisburg TN at 5:58 pm
- Destination: LUG Lewisburg TN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20, 5,002 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 12 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 5:56 pm from MQY, 33 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.