What happened
On August 27, 2009, a Socata TB-20, registration N654GT, crashed near Pavo, Georgia, after encountering severe weather. The flight departed from Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama at 1001 and was en route to North Perry Airport in Florida. No flight plan had been filed for the trip.
At approximately 1111, radar data showed the aircraft was flying southeast at 3,400 feet MSL before turning due east. At 1115, the aircraft began a 180-degree turn toward the west. By 1117, the aircraft disappeared from radar. The wreckage was located by authorities the following day.
At the time of the accident, the aircraft was flying in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Nearby weather stations reported heavy rain, low ceilings, and thunderstorms in the area. The pilot was operating under visual flight rules (VFR) but encountered deteriorating weather, including rain, mist, and multiple cloud layers.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage, which was scattered over a 1,000-foot area. The left wing was found separated from the airframe at the wing root. Analysis of the wing spar by the NTSB Materials Laboratory determined the spar failed in an upward direction due to overstress separation, with no evidence of pre-existing cracks.
The empennage had separated from the aft cabin, and the rudder and vertical stabilizer were found damaged along the wreckage path. The cockpit was found heavily damaged, and the engine had separated from the airframe. The propeller had also separated from the crankshaft. Examination of the engine and accessories revealed no evidence of a malfunction or failure prior to the crash. The landing gear was found in the down and locked position, and the flaps were up.
An autopsy of the pilot revealed extensive blunt impact trauma. Toxicology results showed the presence of ethanol, N-butanol, and N-propanol.