Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance on final approach.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was making an approach to landing in day visual meteorological conditions. On the final leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot descended too low and impacted trees prior to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Neither the pilot nor a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who examined the airplane after the accident, reported any preexisting malfunctions or mechanical anomalies. The nearest weather reporting facility, located approximately 16 nautical miles east of the accident location, reported calm winds, 10 statute miles visibility, and few clouds at 1,100 feet at the time of the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA442 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 4, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Quitman, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Quitman Brooks County (4J5)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Rans S12
- N-number
- N43377
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.