Plane Crash Reports 2003

2003 Plane Crash Report Result

Title: R PA-31P, N577FS, REGISTERED TO GOLD WING TRANSPORTATION, OWNED B

Report Date: 06/20

Plane Crash Problem: On June 16, 2003, at 1301 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31P, N577FS, registered to Gold Wing Transportation, owned by River Cross Investment Corp., and operated by the commercial pilot, collided into a swamp and burst into flames shortly after takeoff from Augusta Regional Bush Field, Augusta, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot and passenger received fatal injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Augusta Regional Bush Field, Augusta, Georgia, about 1258 on June 16, 2003. The flight departed runway 35 en route to Belmont, Mississippi. During climbout, pilot reported an engine problem, and the air traffic controller cleared the flight to return and land on any runway. No further radio transmissions were received from the pilot. Witnesses observed the airplane flying low north of the airport, and engine noises were described as "erratic" and "skipping." A witness at the airport stated the airplane appeared to use half of the 8,000-foot runway on takeoff roll, and the climbout appeared very flat. The witness stated the airplane was low over the trees off the departure end of the runway, then it pitched up, the right wing dropped, and the airplane dove straight down behind the trees. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion seconds later, followed by thick black smoke. Examination of the accident site revealed the airplane struck trees and came to rest in a swamp less than a mile from the departure end of runway 35. Wreckage debris and freshly broken trees were scattered approximately 120 feet along an approximate 353 degree magnetic heading from the initial freshly broken tree. The tail section, empennage, and fuselage were found upright and partially submerged in three to four feet of water. The upper cabin and fuselage were consumed by fire. The inboard portions of both wings were found submerged, and the outboard tips of both wings were found separated with leading edge crush damage. The engines were found submerged in close proximity to the fuselage, with the right engine separated and inverted. Gold Wing Transportation recently sold the airplane. It was purchased by River Cross Investment Corp., and the Federal Aviation Adminstration records did not yet reflect the ownership change.

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