# NTSB ATL93LA103: Cessna 172F, N8279U, Ravenel, SC, June 5, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 5, 1993, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Ravenel, SC - Coordinates: 32.769889, -80.220458 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7699&lon=-80.2205&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3221 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3221/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA103 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - flt control syst,wing flap control - failure,total (contributing factor) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - Overrun, landing - roll - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - vehicle ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8279U-2012-06-07), registration cancelled 2012-06-07, S/N 17252179 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17252179 - Airframe hours: 1820 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19930605017019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930605017019A), Jun 5, 1993: Cessna 172F, Ravenel, SC, Substantial damage. Overshot short strip on landing and struck an abandoned bus. Reported unable to extend flaps. Not verified. 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.