Jabiru J250 N828WD

Summary

On 3 June 2023 at about 21:09 local time, a Jabiru J250 registered N828WD was involved in an accident near Louisville, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 June 2023 at 21:09

Classification

Accident

Location

Louisville, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Louisville Municipal (2J3)

Coordinates

32.9859, -82.3848

Aircraft

Jabiru J250

Registration

N828WD

Category

Airplane

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA23LA268

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s decision to take off in wind conditions that exceeded his ability to maintain directional control, resulting in a runway excursion and substantial damage to the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the airplane started to drift left of the runway centerline. He responded with right rudder; however, the airplane continued to drift to the left. He continued to add right rudder until the pedals reached the hard stop. The airplane departed the runway surface and entered a rough, grassy area. The airplane’s nose landing gear collapsed, and the wreckage came to rest nose down, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. A postaccident examination of the flight controls, wheel brakes, and tires did not reveal evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure. The pilot reported that there were thunderstorms in the area. There was no wind information available for the departure airport; however, several airports in the area reported gusting wind conditions. The closest recorded observation noted distant lightning to the west. Based on this information, it is likely that the pilot encountered wind conditions that exceeded his ability to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.