Emanuel County Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Swainsboro, Georgia 30401
Friday, February 17, 2012 19:30 EST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that the airplane was approaching the destination airport on the base leg of the traffic pattern in night visual meteorological conditions. At that time, the runway lights were set on high intensity, which diluted the threshold lights. Additionally, the pilot stated that the red localizer antenna hazard lights distracted him (they were located about 750 feet before the runway threshold). He further stated that he was too low and struck trees during final approach. The airplane impacted trees with both wings about 2,400 feet before the runway threshold. The impact with trees resulted in damage to the left wing spar, lower fuselage, and the stabilator. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Following the accident, the airport manager checked all runway lighting and found them to be operational.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper glidepath during final approach in night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 2/17/2012
Event Day of the Week Friday
Time of Event 1930
Event Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Event City Swainsboro
Event State GEORGIA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 30401
Event Date Year 2012
Event Date Month 2
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 323633N
Event Location Longitude 0822212W
Event Location Airport Emanuel County Airport
Event Location Nearest Airport ID SBO
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 1
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 324
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1935 Eastern Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID SBO
Elevation of weather observation facility 327
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 0
Time Zone of the weather observation EST
Lighting Conditions Night
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 12
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 11
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator --
Wind Speed (knots) --
Wind Velocity Indicator Calm
Wind Gust Indicator --
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.07
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 7
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 29957
NTSB Notification Source FAA Southern ROC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record May 24 2012 1:30PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N47863
NTSB Number ERA12CA190
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed IFR
Flight plan Was Activated? Yes
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name PIPER
Aircraft Model PA-32R-300
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 32R-7880025
Certified Max Gross Weight 3600
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats 2
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats 4
Total number of seats on the aircraft 6
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Retractable
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection --
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours --
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type Unknown
Aircraft Owner Name ALL PRO AUTO PARTS INC
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City AUBURNDALE
Aircraft Owner State FL
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 33823-9505
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name Ronnie Osburn
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address --
Operator City Winter Haven
Operator State FL
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 33881
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code GIF
Departure City Winter Haven
Departure State FL
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1720
Departure Time Zone EST
Destination Same as Local Flt crash at destination city
Destination Airport Code SBO
Destination City Swainsboro
Destination State GA
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record May 24 2012 1:31PM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 31
Runway Length 6021
Runway Width 100
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --