# NTSB MIA02LA087: Cessna 172H, N2815L, Ehrhardt, SC, April 21, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 2002, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Ehrhardt, SC - Coordinates: 33.005554, -81.048332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0056&lon=-81.0483&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 54561 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA02LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54561/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54561 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA087 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to attain proper touchdown point while landing on a wet grass runway, resulting in the airplane departing the runway and impacting with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - wet - airspeed(vref) - excessive, pilot in command - all available runway - not used, pilot in command - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot said, he entered the traffic pattern for a landing on runway 1, turned from base to final, and noted that his airspeed was 80 mph. He thought that he could still make a "safe" landing. He landed the airplane "long" on a wet grass with poor braking action. He was unable to stop, the airplane departed the end of the runway and into the woods, coming to rest between two trees. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 2002, about 0900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N2815L, registered to an individual, struck trees after landing at a private airport near Ehrhardt, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. No flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot, and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight had departed from Moncks Corner, South Carolina, about 0800. The pilot said, he entered a "normal" traffic pattern for runway 1, turned from base to final, was closer to the runway than he wanted to be, and noted that his airspeed was 80 mph. He thought that he could still make a "safe" landing. According to the pilot he landed "long with wet grass and poor braking action," this caused the airplane to "slide off the end of the runway and into the woods." The airplane came to rest between two trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2815L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2815L-2004-03-17), registration cancelled 2004-03-17, S/N 17256015, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172H - 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: 17256015 - Airframe hours: 5054 - Engines: Continental O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard L. Clarke - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 2001, 49 hours before - Departed: 50J, Moncks Corner, SC - Destination: SC55, Ehrhardt, SC - Airport: SC55, Broxton Bridge Plantation, runway 1, 2,600 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 12, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 648 total, 216 in this make and model, 609 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: CAE, 60 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 31, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54561. 352 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432520&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Supplement S (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40163869&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S-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.