| Crash location | 38.976389°N, 83.666945°W
Reported location is a long distance from the NTSB's reported nearest city. This often means that the location has a typo, or is incorrect. |
| Nearest city | Winder, GA
33.992610°N, 83.720171°W 344.4 miles away |
| Tail number | N47EA |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 19 Feb 2008 |
| Aircraft type | Aviat A-1B |
| Additional details: | None |
According to the pilot of an Avitat A-1B, while departing from runway 23, "a gust of wind caused a ground loop type maneuver." He applied additional engine power in an attempt to straighten out the airplane, but "the wind overpowered me and I rolled off into the woods." He also stated that the landing gear was bent due to the inadvertent side load; causing the wing and propeller to strike the ground. The tail section and fuselage were bent as the airplane preceded tail first into the trees. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions of the airplane prior to the accident. The reported wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 290 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 24 knots.
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the gusty crosswind condition.