- Date
- June 5, 1993, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place
- Ravenel, SC
- Injuries
- 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N8279UCessna 172F
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 3, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19930605017019A
- Case key
- 3221
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The continuation of the landing attempt into the short sod field without the use of flaps and the use of excessive airspeed by the pilot. Factors in the accident were the failure of the aircraft flaps to extend
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that during engine run up, prior to departure from his private sod airfield, he observed both fuel gauges fail. He stated that he had visually checked his fuel, and had sufficient fuel for his intended flight. He continued with the flight. During his preparation for landing at the airfield, when he placed the flap lever to the approach position, the flaps would not extend. As he was unsure of his fuel status, he stated that he decided to continue and land at the short sod field. He used a higher than normal approach speed, and intended to use a road leading to the airstrip for an overrun, if necessary. After landing, he was unable to control either the brakes or the rudder. The aircraft struck an abandoned bus and other equipment at the end of the runway, and received substantial damage. The pilot stated that following the accident, his front seat passenger was heard to comment that prior to the landing, he had braced himself with his feet. The pilot stated that the front seat passenger had his feet on the aircraft rudder pedals, which explained his loss of control of the brakes and rudder
Factual narrative
On June 6, 1993, at about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N8279U was substantially damaged following a collision with a fence and terrain near Ravenel, South Carolina. The private pilot received minor injuries in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight. The flight departed the private sod field at approximately 1110.
The pilot reported that during engine run up, prior to departure from his private sod airfield, he observed both fuel gauges fail. He stated that he had visually checked his fuel, and had sufficient fuel for his intended flight. He continued with the flight. During his preparation for landing at the airfield, when he placed the flap control lever to the approach position, the flaps would not extend. As he was unsure of his fuel status, he stated that he decided to continue with and land at the short sod field. He used a higher than normal approach speed, and intended to use a road leading to the airstrip for an overrun, if necessary. After landing, he was unable to control the either the aircraft brakes or the rudder. The aircraft struck an abandoned bus and other equipment a the end of the runway, and received substantial damage. The pilot stated that following the accident, his front seat passenger was heard to comment that prior to the landing, he had braced himself with his feet. The pilot stated that the front seat passenger had his feet on the aircraft rudder pedals, which explained his loss of control of the brakes and rudder.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8279U
- Reported as
- Cessna 172F
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17252179
- Airframe hours
- 1,820
- Engine
- Continental O-300, 145 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Hall, William J.
- Registered owner
- Hall, William J.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 10, 1993 · 16 hours before
- Departed
- NONE
- Destination
- NONE
- Airport
- NONE · Private, runway 18, 1,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 62
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 150 total · 100 in this make and model · 130 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- CHS, 30 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.