# NTSB ATL86LA018: Cessna 172N, N733KU, Greer, SC, November 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1985, 17:23 local (22:23 UTC)
- Place: Greer, SC
- Coordinates: 34.929256, -82.230606 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9293&lon=-82.2306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7031
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7031/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA018

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (cause)
  - ifr procedure - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (cause)
  - decision height - below, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON AN ILS RWY 03 APRCH AT GREER, SC, THE PILOT DESCENDED BELOW DH AND COLLIDED WITH TREES APPROX 500 FT LEFT OF RUNWAY CENTERLINE. THE PLT RELATED THAT HE DESCENDED BELOW DH BECAUSE HE OBSERVED WHAT HE THOUGHT WERE THE APRCH LIGHTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733KU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733KU-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 17268359, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268359
- Airframe hours: 1900
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon L. Pfefferkorn, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 6M1, HEBER SPRINGS, AK
- Destination: GSP, GREER, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GSP, Greer, runway 3, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 955 total, 650 in this make and model, 915 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 375 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP, 1 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 19851103055999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851103055999A), Nov 3, 1985: Cessna 172N, Greer, SC, Substantial damage. Leveled off instead of executing a missed approach at decision height on an ILS approach. Struck trees then ground.

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.

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