# NTSB ATL87LA181: Cessna 172B, N8105X, Belton, SC, June 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1987, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Belton, SC
- Coordinates: 34.520359, -82.489105 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5204&lon=-82.4891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA181

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON SHORT FINAL HE EXPERIENCED A DOWNDRAFT WHICH CAUSED HIM TO LAND HARD. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED AND WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SOD STRIP. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER IT BOUNCED. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT SURFACE WINDS WERE 8 KNOTS OUT OF THE SOUTH. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES WERE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8105X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8105X-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 17248605 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17248605
- Airframe hours: 3317
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Freeman
- Registered owner: James A Freeman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1987, 12 hours before
- Departed: LQK, PICKENS, SC
- Destination: BELTON, SC
- Airport: Oak Hill Park, runway 10, 2,400 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 205 total, 175 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19870622030419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870622030419A), Jun 22, 1987: Cessna 172B, Belton, SC, Destroyed. The aircraft veered off the side of the runway after a bounced landing. The pilot reported a downdraft on final.

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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