2011 DeHavilland DHC-6-100 Crash at Clayton County Airport (N157KM)

Accident Overview and Flight History On March 8, 2011, at approximately 1140 eastern standard time, a DeHavilland DHC-6-100, registration N157KM, operated by Desert Sand Aircraft Leasing Company Inc., was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while on approach to Clayton County Airport (4A7) in Hampton, Georgia. The accident resulted in the deaths of the certificated commercial pilot and a pilot-rated mechanic. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local maintenance test flight, which was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Witnesses reported that the flight was the first after both Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20 engines were replaced with PT6A-27 engines. The aircraft completed two uneventful touch-and-go landings before the accident. During the final approach to runway 6, witnesses observed fluctuating engine noise, a struggle to gain altitude and airspeed, and a left yaw. The aircraft then executed a rapid left roll followed by a nose-down spin, impacting trees in a wooded marsh area approximately 0.8 miles prior to the runway threshold.