Event ATL00LA078

Factual narrative

On August 4, 2000, at 1943 eastern daylight time, an unregistered experimental airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground while maneuvering near Chatsworth, Georgia. The non-certificated pilot was fatally injured and the passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan on file. The flight originated from a private field near Chatsworth, Georgia, at an undetermined time. According to witnesses and family members in the immediate vicinity of the accident site, the experimental airplane was circling over the neighborhood. Witnesses then stated that the engine started to speed up, followed by a decrease in speed. The experimental airplane then made a tight descending turn, followed by an increase in engine speed. The airplane then collided with trees, and subsequently came to rest in the intersection of two roads in the community. According to Federal Aviation Regulation Part 103, the accident airplane was to be used for flight instruction only. There were no records of the owner/ operator of the accident airplane receiving flight instruction in the Solo Wings Aquilla airplane. Further examination revealed that the pilot had no record of being registered in the Ultra-Light Airman's Registration Program. Family members reported that the pilot and his passenger routinely flew the accident airplane over their community. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were favorable for icing conditions. The limited examination of the airframe and the sub-systems failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. On August 5, 2000, the postmortem examination on the pilot was conducted by Dr. Cameron Snider at the office of the Medical Examiner in Chatsworth, Georgia. The toxicological examination was negative for alcohol and drugs. The airplane collided with trees as the non-certificated pilot maneuvered the unregistered airplane over a residential area. In accordance with Federal Aviation Regulation Part 103, the accident airplane was to be used for flight instruction only. Family members reported that the pilot and his passenger routinely flew the accident airplane in the community. The limited examination the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12