# NTSB ATL97LA140: Cessna 172N, N738SZ, Greenville, SC, September 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 1997, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Greenville, SC - Coordinates: 34.829208, -82.370864 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8292&lon=-82.3709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3906 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3906/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA140 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of the elevator control and delayed liftoff during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise, collision with the runway, and collapse of the nose gear as he aborted the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - lift-off - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted - landing gear,nose gear - overload - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The pilot stated that, the initial takeoff started from the (approach) end of runway 36, and that he had applied full power. At about the midfield point, the airplane lifted off. However, the pilot did not feel there was sufficient power to take off, so he aborted the takeoff. He said he pulled the power all the way back, and the airplane descended nose first, collided the runway nose gear first, and nosed over. A witness stated that during the takeoff roll, the airplane began to porpoise before the nose gear collided with the runway. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem. The pilot did not report experiencing a mechanical problem with the airplane during the attempted takeoff. According to the pilot operation handbook, normal takeoff ground run should have been about 478 feet. The runway was 5393 feet in length. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 1997, about 1915 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N738SZ, collided the nose gear with the runway and nosed over at Greenville Downtown Airport in Greenville, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. No flight plan was filed for the touch and go practice flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Greenville, South Carolina, at 1914. The pilot stated that, the initial takeoff started from the end of the runway and he had applied full power. At the mid field point of runway 36, the airplane lifted off. However, the pilot did not feel that the airplane had sufficient power to takeoff, so he aborted the takeoff. The pilot said he pulled the power all the way back and the airplane descended nose first on the runway. The nose gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. An eyewitness stated that during the takeoff roll, the airplane began to porpoise before the nose gear collided with the runway. An examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem, and the pilot did not report experiencing a mechanical problem with the airplane during the attempted takeoff. The pilot's operation handbook states that the normal takeoff ground run is 478 feet. Runway 36 is 5393 feet long. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N738SZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738SZ-2019-01-14), registration cancelled 2019-01-14, S/N 17270213, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270213 - Airframe hours: 3854 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mark Christopher - Registered owner: Carolina Environmental Systems - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1997, 7 hours before - Departed: GMU - Airport: GMU, Greenville Downtown, runway 36, 5,393 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 131 total, 6 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CAE, 81 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 19970925029009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970925029009A), Sep 25, 1997: Cessna 172N, Greenville, SC, Substantial damage. Aircraft began to porpoise on takeoff. Pilot aborted. Landing nose gear first result in nose gear collapse, nose ov (-23) on t.o. aircraft porpoised. Nose… 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.