# NTSB GAA19CA477: Cessna 172, N724BC, Greer, SC, June 29, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2019, 18:09 local (22:09 UTC) - Place: Greer, SC - Coordinates: 34.93861, -82.227218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9386&lon=-82.2272&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99983 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA477 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99983/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99983 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA477 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to continue a steep and fast approach to landing, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with a drainage culvert. ## 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 172H, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172H, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072424), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, as the airplane entered the downwind traffic pattern, its airspeed and altitude were too high. The pilot decided to continue the landing, and the airplane touched down about midfield on the 1700-ft-long runway. The pilot tried to use aerodynamic braking, but the airplane overran the end of the runway and collided with a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left elevator and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, he entered the traffic pattern, downwind, and that the airplane's airspeed was too fast, and the altitude was too high. The pilot decided to continue the landing and the airplane touched down about mid-field on the 1700ft runway. The pilot tried to use aerodynamic braking, but the airplane overran the end of the runway and collided with a drainage culvert. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side elevator and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N724BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N724BC-2022-01-08), registration cancelled 2022-01-08, S/N 17255148, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (H) - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255148 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 8330.4 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 2019 - Departed: GMU, Greenville, SC - Destination: PVT, Greer, SC - Airport: PVT, Flying Few, runway 28, 1,700 × 100 ft, dirt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 30, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 206 total, 194 in this make and model, 206 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KGSP, 3 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 20190629008649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190629008649A), Jun 29, 2019: Cessna 172H, Greer, SC, Substantial damage. N724BC was landing on a 1700' grass strip and ran off the end of the runway into a ditch. ## Other investigations on N724BC (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA21FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA029), Oct 25, 2020: Cessna 172 (N724BC), Dunnellon, FL, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99983. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478653&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.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. --- 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.