# NTSB MIA01LA161: Cessna 172M, N12483, Bennettsville, SC, June 12, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 2001, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Bennettsville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.73389, -79.666389
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7339&lon=-79.6664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA161

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper correction for wind conditions and his failure to maintain control of the airplane resulting in the airplane sliding off an embankment during taxi from landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - gusts
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment

## Analysis

The pilot stated that after landing he fast taxied to the end of the runway. While turning into the parking area, he encountered a wind gust and the airplane slid over an embankment.

## Factual narrative

On June 12, 2001, about 1045 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N12483, registered to an individual, slid off an embankment after landing at a private landing strip near Bennettsville, South Carolina, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the same day, about 1000.

The pilot stated that landing on runway 12 was normal. Touchdown was in the first 200 feet of runway. He slowed normally and then did a fast taxi to get to the opposite end of the runway. As he approached the opposite end of the runway and began the turn into the parking area, a quartering gust of wind from the back right caused the tail to be pushed to his left and the right wing to be raised. The airplane slid at a 45-degree angle over an embankment.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12483](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12483), registered now, S/N 17262009, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17262009
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian M. Meadows
- Registered owner: Edward A. Rucinski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 2000, 108 hours before
- Departed: 3A4, Winston-Salem, NC
- Destination: Bennettsville, SC
- Airport: Stanton's Field, runway 12, 2,400 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 21, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 476 total, 128 in this make and model, 443 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: UDG, 22 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 20010612014699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010612014699A), Jun 12, 2001: Cessna 172M, Bennetsville, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot landed the aircraft on a grass stip with a right crosswind and the aircraft drifted off the left side of the runway into a four feet embankment…

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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