Accident Details
On February 15, 2025, at about 2300 local time, a Rockwell 112, registration N1423J, was destroyed in an accident near Covington, Georgia. The private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The accident site was located approximately 4,230 ft down and 620 ft north of the northern edge of runway 10 at Covington Municipal Airport. The cockpit and cabin were consumed by the post-impact fire.
Flight and Communications
According to FAA air traffic control radio communications, the pilot contacted Atlanta TRACON Departure Radar North for an IFR clearance and release from Covington Municipal Airport to Valdosta Regional Airport. At 2256, the pilot advised the controller he would be departing from runway 10 and was ready. The controller issued a clearance with an initial climb to 3,000 ft, a departure frequency, and a transponder code, which the pilot correctly read back. The pilot was advised that the release was void if not departed within 10 minutes, which he acknowledged. No further communication from the pilot was recorded after that transmission.
Airport security cameras showed a light from the airplane during takeoff roll on runway 10 at 2259, and it went out of view about 1,800 ft down the runway. About one minute later, another camera recorded a very bright light filling the upper portion of the screen, corresponding to the impact area.
Wreckage and Response
At 2303, a mobile phone belonging to the passenger dialed 911 and transmitted an automated message indicating the owner was in a severe crash. The coordinates provided were about 34 ft northeast of the main wreckage's resting position. At 2322, the FAA TRACON notified Covington Police Department that the accident airplane had not been heard from since its planned departure at 2259.
Law enforcement personnel responded to the airport and observed a fire erupting from a wooded area north of the runway, behind two chain link fences. Officers cut access points in the fences and attempted to extinguish the fire with handheld extinguishers. The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.