Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after an aborted landing, which resulted in collision with trees.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane started to veer left and that, because he was concerned that it may ground loop, he decided to abort the landing and applied full engine power. The airplane became airborne, continued to drift left, and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA158 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 22, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Athens, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Athens/Ben Epps (AHN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
American Legend AL3
- N-number
- N1115
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2006
- 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.