# NTSB ERA26LA132: Cessna 172L, N7864G, Bennettsville, SC, February 28, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 28, 2026, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Bennettsville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.735598, -79.670647 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7356&lon=-79.6706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 17, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202567
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202567/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202567
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA132

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees on takeoff from a rural road.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was attempting to land on a private grass runway but due to sun glare, inadvertently landed in an adjacent field. The pilot then taxied to a nearby paved road and attempted to take off with the intent to land at the private grass runway. During the takeoff roll, the airplane collided with trees resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7864G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7864G), registered now, S/N 17259564, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259564
- Year built: 1970
- Airframe hours: 3837
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 89; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 14, 2026; seat: left; flight hours: 2,547 total, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: KBBP, 8 nm away
- METAR: METAR KBBP 282235Z AUTO 23003KT 10SM CLR 12/10 A3007 RMK AO2

## 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 20260228001899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260228001899A), Feb 28, 2026: Cessna 172L, Bennettsville, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he intended to land at a private airport and as he approached their grass strip, he could not see their runway due to the sun being in his…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202567. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 829 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20347587&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- NTSB mor - pilot statement (excerpt of email) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20410117&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20MOR%20-%20Pilot%20Statement%20(Excerpt%20of%20Email)_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 241 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20418801&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photos%20(1)-Rel.pdf

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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