# NTSB ATL97LA019: Cessna 175, N7582M, Soperton, GA, November 26, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 26, 1996, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Soperton, GA - Coordinates: 32.369796, -82.589996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3698&lon=-82.5900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3808 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3808/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA019 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot either to attain the proper touch down point for landing or to abort the landing while there was sufficient runway remaining. The terrain (ditch) at the end of the runway was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - aborted landing - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - attempted, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a full stop landing on a grass strip and did not attain the proper touch down point. He reported there was a tail wind of about 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. He said he planned to land on the first 375 feet of the runway, but an updraft gust, during the approach and just prior to touchdown, caused the aircraft to cease its descent momentarily and prolonged the touchdown by 200 feet. He also stated that the aircraft maintained good directional control, but would not stop as quickly as needed. He said he attempted a ground loop at the end of the runway, but the aircraft responded to late to make the desired turn. The aircraft went off the departure end and into a drainage depression, then nosed over. ## Factual narrative On November 26, 1996, about 1245 eastern standard time, a Cessna 175, N7582M, overran the end of the runway at a private airstrip near Soperton, Georgia. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot, his passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Bartow, Florida, about 0900 on the same day, with a comfort and fuel stop at Waycross, Georgia. The pilot stated that he landed on the 1500 foot grass strip to the east, the only direction possible because of the uphill slope. He reported there was a tail wind of about ten knots, gusting to 15 knots. He planned to land on the first 375 feet of the runway, but an updraft gust, during the approach and just prior to touchdown, caused the aircraft to cease its descent momentarily and prolonged the touchdown by 200 feet. He also stated that the aircraft maintained good directional control but would not stop as quickly as needed. He attempted a ground loop at the end of the runway, which resulted in going off the end into a drainage depression. The nose gear broke off and the airplane nosed over. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7582M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7582M-2000-02-16), registration cancelled 2000-02-16, S/N 55882 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 175 - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 55882 - Airframe hours: 2963 - Engines: Franklin 6A-335-B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph H. Scruggs - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1996, 19 hours before - Departed: AYS, WAYCROSS, GA - Destination: 3GA8, CAULEY, GA - Airport: 3GA8, Cauley Field, runway 9, 1,500 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,769 total, 23 in this make and model, 1,694 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 7 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AMG, 48 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 19961126047479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961126047479A), Nov 26, 1996: Cessna 175, Soperton, GA, Substantial damage. (-16) During landing, at cauley airport, with slight tailwind, aircraft ran off end of runway. 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.