# Accident 20040402005389A: Cessna 172N, Columbia, SC, April 2, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 2, 2004, 15:50 local time
- Place: Columbia, SC
- Airport: Columbia Metropolitan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Forced Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.9425° N, 81.1214° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9425&lon=-81.1214&mi=10
- Aircraft: N271EP, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N271EP-2017-04-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172N (registry code 2072434, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Reported engine: LYC O360A4M
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 382 total, 247 in this make and model, 37 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL04LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA088) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040402005389A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON APRIL 2, 2004, N271EP, A CESSNA 172N, WAS BEING OPERATED BY MARC MARTIN BURTON, A CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED SANFORD, FL (SFB) ON IN IFR FLIGHT PLAN TO COLUMBIA, SC (CAE). COLUMBIA APPROACH HAD CLEARED THE AIRCRAFT TO LAND ON RUNWAY 29 AT CAE WHEN THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A GOLF COURSE, LOCATED IN WEST COLUMBIA, SC ABOUT 1 MILE SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT AND WAS NOT INJURED AND THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL04LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA088), Apr 2, 2004: Cessna 172N (N271EP), Columbia, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. The pilot's preflight planning and uneven terrain were contributing factors.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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