# NTSB ATL04CA163: Cessna 172, N3967F, Inman, SC, July 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2004, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Inman, SC - Coordinates: 35, -82.183334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0000&lon=-82.1833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Columbia FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59985 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59985/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA163 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the ground while maneuvering for a visual approach to land. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - ground - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while on final approach to land, the airplane cleared power lines that extended across the approach end of runway 36. The airplane touched down approximately 950 feet down the 2000-foot long by 60-foot wide sod runway. From 800 feet down the runway to the departure end, the runway slopes downward approximately 100 feet. The pilot stated that the airplane's braking was ineffective on the wet grass and because he was unable to stop the airplane, he applied power and attempted to takeoff. The pilot stated that the airplane became airborne, but approximately 25 feet above ground level (agl), he realized the airplane would not clear trees at the end of the runway. He stated that as he attempted to bank the airplane right towards the runway, the right wing tip collided with the ground. The airplane came to rest approximately 30 feet left of the departure end of runway 36. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the nose wheel and strut separated from the airplane. There was also damage to the right wing tip, right wing aileron, left horizontal stabilizer, side of engine and the propeller was bent. Approximately 400-800 feet down the runway from the approach end of runway 36, the level portion of the runway has a field elevation of 940 feet above mean sea level (msl). The departure end of runway 36 has a field elevation of 840 feet msl. The pilot reported that at the time of the attempted landing, the condition of the runway surface was "soaking wet." Thunderstorm activity had been reported in the area earlier that day. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 2004, at 1930 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N3967F, registered to and operated by a private pilot, collided with the ground while attempting a go-around at a private grass airstrip at Windridge, a private fly-in community, in Inman, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger suffered minor injuries. The flight originated from the private grass airstrip at Windridge community in Inman, South Carolina, on July 29, 2004, at 1925. According to the pilot, he took two passengers, one at a time, on a scenic flight over the area. The pilot stated that the surface winds were light and variable from 360 degrees to 030 degrees. The pilot stated that after the first landing, he noticed that "there was slightly more shifting of wind direction." The pilot stated that after departing on the second flight, he noticed some unfavorable weather moving in, and elected to fly the traffic pattern once and land on runway 36. The pilot stated that, while on final approach to land, the airplane cleared power lines that extend across the approach end of the runway 36. The airplane touched down approximately 950 feet down the 2000-foot long sod runway. From 800 feet down the runway to the departure end, the runway slopes downward approximately 100 feet. The pilot stated that the airplane's braking was ineffective on the wet grass and because he was unable to stop the airplane, he applied power and attempted to takeoff. The pilot stated that the airplane became airborne, but approximately 25 feet above ground level (agl), he realized the airplane would not clear trees at the end of the runway. He stated that as he attempted to bank the airplane right toward the runway the right wing tip collided with the ground. The airplane came to rest approximately 30 feet left of the departure end of runway 36. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the nose wheel and strut separated from the airplane. There was also damage to the right wing tip, right wing aileron, left horizontal stabilizer, side of engine and the propeller was bent. The Windridge community private airstrip has a sod/grass runway surface, 18/36, and is 2000 feet long and 60 feet wide. Approximately 400-800 feet down the runway from the approach end of runway 36, the level portion of the runway has a field elevation of 940 feet above mean sea level (msl). The departure end of runway 36 has a field elevation of 840 feet msl. The pilot reported that at the time of the attempted landing, the condition of the runway surface was "soaking wet." Thunderstorm activity had been reported in the area earlier that day. The pilot stated that he could have prevented this accident if he had, "attempted to land downwind...where there is a chance for a go around...or gone to Sloan's airstrip only four and a half miles to the northwest for a landing." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3967F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3967F-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 36867, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36867 - Airframe hours: 4358.3 - Engines: Continental O-300 A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Carl W & Martha J Niemitalo, doing business as CARMARCO Inc - Registered owner: Carl W Niemitalo - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 2002, 73.2 hours before - Departed: Inman, SC - Airport: PVT, Windridge (Private Strip), runway 36, 2,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 82; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 8, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,232 total, 999 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KGSP, 5 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040729016289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040729016289A), Jul 29, 2004: Cessna 172, Inman, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC reported that after making a landing on a wet grass strip the braking action on the wheels was not effective and he was not going to make a… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.