2012 Columbus Metropolitan Airport Experimental Aircraft Crash (N149AM)

Accident Overview and Flight History On August 18, 2012, at approximately 10:23 a.m. EDT, an experimental amateur-built Focke-Wulf 190 replica, registration N149AM, crashed near the approach end of runway 13 at Columbus Metropolitan Airport (CSG) in Columbus, Georgia. The aircraft, registered to a private individual, sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot was fatally injured. The flight was a local personal operation under 14 CFR Part 91, originating from CSG at 10:18 a.m. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. Prior to takeoff, the pilot acknowledged to a witness that the aircraft's aileron controls were somewhat touchy due to the short wingspan. The pilot was cleared for takeoff on runway 24 and remained in the traffic pattern. At 10:22:06 a.m., the pilot advised the controller of a power loss and an intention to land on runway 13. Witnesses reported the engine sounded rough and was not developing full power, with no smoke or sputtering observed. The aircraft entered a steep left bank before the nose pitched down and impacted the ground.