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GAA15CA216

2015-08-04 · Ellijay, Georgia, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 49A

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to attain and maintain sufficient airspeed during takeoff which resulted in a descent, loss of directional control, and a runway excursion.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he applied power for night time takeoff and lifted off the runway. The airplane reached a height about 5 feet above the ground, and the pilot stated he could not see the runway lights and felt he was in a black hole. The airplane descended to the runway and bounced hard. Despite efforts from the pilot to control the airplane, it veered left, exited the runway, and went down an eight to ten foot high embankment impacting terrain. The airplane came to rest inverted and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he applied power for night time takeoff and lifted off the runway. The airplane reached a height about 5 feet above the ground, and the pilot stated he could not see the runway lights and felt he was in a black hole. The airplane descended to the runway and bounced hard. Despite efforts from the pilot to control the airplane, it veered left, exited the runway, and went down an eight to ten foot high embankment impacting terrain. The airplane came to rest inverted and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Climb rate-Not attained/maintained - C
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
  • — Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusion-Visual illusion/disorientation-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2015_GAA15CA216.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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Related research

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