# NTSB ATL05CA147: Cessna 172G, N5863R, Ridgeland, SC, August 17, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 17, 2005, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Ridgeland, SC - Coordinates: 32.484165, -80.992225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4842&lon=-80.9922&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FSDO 13 COLUMBIA - NTSB case key (mKey): 62419 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62419/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA147 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undertermined reasons which resulted in a collision with objects. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) (cause) - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis The airplane climbed to 1500 feet over the newly planted pine trees and the engine started to run rough at 2200 RPM. The pilot began looking for a suitable landing field and the engine lost power. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot made a forced landing in a marshy field. After touchdown, the airplane rolled out approximately 10 yards and collided with a tree stump partially submerged in the swampy terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed the left main landing gear and the nose gear detached. The propeller was also bent and the right wing tip was dented. An engine run was performed after the accident. The carburetor was replaced with a new one because the original was damaged. The engine was run at 2000 RPM for two minutes during the functional test. The pilot reported that the flight departed with 15 gallons of low-lead fuel. During the airplane recovery several gallons of fuel were recovered from the fuel system. The post-accident examination of the airframe and subsystems failed to disclose any mechanical problems or component failures. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 2005 at 1920 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172G, N5863R, registered to and operated by a private owner, collided with tree stump during a forced landing on a pine tree field in Ridgeland, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Ridgeland Airport, Ridgeland, South Carolina on August 17, 2004 at 1900. As the airplane climbed to 1500 feet over the newly planted pine trees, the engine started to run rough at 2200 RPM. The pilot stated that while he was looking for a suitable landing field, the engine lost power. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The pilot made an emergency landing in a marshy field. After touchdown, the airplane rolled out approximately 10 yards and collided with a tree stump partially submerged in the swampy terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed the left main landing gear and the nose gear detached. There was also crush damage to the left side of the fuselage, the propeller was bent and the right wing tip was dented. An engine run was performed on September 7, 2005 at Atlanta Air Recovery, Griffin, Georgia. The carburetor was replaced with a new one because the original was damaged. The engine was run at 2000 RPM for two minutes during the functional test. The pilot reported that the flight departed with 15 gallons of low-lead fuel. During the airplane recovery several gallons of fuel were recovered from the fuel system. At the time of the loss of engine power, the pilot positioned the fuel selector from the "both" to the "off" position. The post-accident examination of the airframe and subsystems failed to disclose any mechanical problems or component failures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5863R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5863R-2006-09-18), registration cancelled 2006-09-18, S/N 17253532 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17253532 - Airframe hours: 1471 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gerald D. Malphrus Jr. - Registered owner: Gerald D. Malphrus - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2005, 2.7 hours before - Departed: 3J1, RIDGELAND, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 207 total, 164 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KNBC, 13 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 20050817019729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050817019729A), Aug 17, 2005: Cessna 172G, Ridgeland, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 17, 2005 at 1920 local time EST a Cessna 172, N5863R landed in a new pine tree field. On landing the aircraft hit a log partially submerged in… ## Other investigations on N5863R (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 MIA74FKG25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74FKG25), Sep 9, 1973: Cessna 172G (N5863R), Prattsburg, GA, substantial damage 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.