# NTSB ATL91LA053: Temco GC-1B, N77PB, Grantham, NC, February 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1991, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Grantham, NC
- Coordinates: 35.369586, -77.970146 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3696&lon=-77.9701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8373
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8373/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA053

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, AND HIS ATTEMPT TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT WHILE IT WAS LOADED OVER ITS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, takeoff - aborted
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT WOULD NOT CLIMB OR GAIN AIRSPEED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING.  NO PRE-ACCIDENT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED.  AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS APPROXIMATELY 175 POUNDS OVER ITS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT.  THE FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT WAS GOLD IN COLOR AND SMELLED LIKE AUTO FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77PB-2006-05-05), registration cancelled 2006-05-05, S/N 1390, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Temco GC-1B
- Registry model: [Temco GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/temco-gc-1b) (registry code 9230108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1390
- Airframe hours: 2220
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Benton, Binford E.
- Registered owner: Benton, Binford E.
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1986, 29 hours before
- Departed: 6NCO, GRANTHAM, NC
- Airport: 6NCO, Cox Grantham, runway 21, 2,800 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 918 total, 4 in this make and model, 856 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Observed at: GSB, 56 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 19910210001829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910210001829A), Feb 10, 1991: Univac GC1B, Grantham, NC, Substantial damage. Over gross weight unable to climb on takeoff. Crashed off runway end. No annual on aircraft. No medical or biennial

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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