# NTSB MIA00LA159: Richard Shaffer Aircamper GN-1, N2308C, Florence, SC, May 17, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 17, 2000, 11:26 local (15:26 UTC) - Place: Florence, SC - Coordinates: 34.210456, -79.650787 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2105&lon=-79.6508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49222 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49222/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA159 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control after takeoff resulting in the uncontrolled descent and impact on a closed runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot obtained current weather before takeoff from the FBO and also by ATIS. The preflight and engine run-up were uneventful. After takeoff about 20 feet agl, the airplane suddenly and violently banked to the left. He corrected with full right rudder and right aileron but was unsuccessful, the left wing of the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot reduced power and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on a closed runway. Post crash examination of the flight controls by the pilot and an FAA inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The pilot also stated that there was no evidence of preimpact structural failure or malfunction. A weather observation taken on the airport 17 minutes after the accident indicates in part that the wind was from 240 degrees at 9 knots variable from 200 to 290 degrees. There were no reported wind gusts. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 2000, about 1126 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Aircamper GN-1, N2308C, registered to a private individual, experienced a loss of control on takeoff and collided with terrain at the Florence Regional Airport, Florence, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he obtained current and forecast weather from a machine at the fixed-base operator, and also received the Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) before takeoff. He performed a preflight and engine run-up before departure with no discrepancies noted. Before takeoff he noted that the windsock adjacent to the departure end of runway 19 was indicating that the wind was from 210 degrees at about 7 knots. He began the takeoff roll and initiated a normal climb until about 20 feet above ground level (agl) when the airplane suddenly and violently banked to the left. He applied full right rudder and also right aileron input but was not able to recover before the left wing impacted the ground. He then reduced power and the airplane then nosed over and came to rest on a closed runway. Postcrash, he checked the flight controls and stated, "they moved correctly and freely." He also stated that there was no evidence of preimpact structural failure or malfunction. Postaccident examination of the accident site by an FAA inspector revealed that the airplane was located on a closed runway (05/23), 300 feet east of runway 19, and approximately 1,000 feet from the departure end of runway 19. Skid marks on the ground between runway 19 and the resting point of the airplane were observed. Gouges and a groove in the pavement from the propeller and right main landing gear were noted. Both propeller blades were fractured; flight control continuity was confirmed. A copy of the inspector statement is an attachment to this report. A METAR (Aviation Routine Weather Report) taken at the airport 17 minutes after the accident indicates in part that the wind was from 240 degrees at 9 knots variable from 200 to 290 degrees. There were no reported wind gusts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2308C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2308C), registered now, S/N GN-1-632, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Richard Shaffer AIRCAMPER GN-1 (AIRCAMPER) - Registry model: [Shaffer-Richard AIRCAMPER GN-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/shaffer-richard-aircamper-gn-1) (registry code 7040345) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: GN-1-632 - Airframe hours: 683 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James M. Hodges - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2000, 66 hours before - Departed: FLO - Airport: FLO, Florence Regional, runway 19, 5,999 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,297 total, 414 in this make and model, 3,956 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FLO ## 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 20000517006389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000517006389A), May 17, 2000: Florence, SC, No damage. (-23) On may 17, 2000 at 1126 local time, Mr. James hodges, the registered owner and sole occupant of experimental amateur built aircraft, N2308C attemptied a… 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.