# NTSB MIA03LA099: Cessna 172D, N2371U, South Ponotoc, MS, April 27, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 27, 2003, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: South Ponotoc, MS - Coordinates: 34.233333, -88.983329 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2333&lon=-88.9833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 56904 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56904/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA099 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain altitude and aircraft control during a low pass over a grass runway, which resulted in the airplane impacting the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - altitude - low, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot, was performing low approaches into a private airstrip with no intention of landing. On the third approach a gust of wind "blew" the airplane to the right towards the trees. The pilot said that before he could recover, the airplane "hit" the ground. An examination of the wreckage after the accident did not reveal any discrepancies. ## Factual narrative On April 27, 2003, about 1630 central daylight time, a Cessna 172D, N2371U, registered to and operated by an individual, collided with the ground at a private airstrip, located about 4 miles south of South Ponotoc, Mississippi. 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 one passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed from Pontotoc County Airport, at 1530. According to the pilot he was attempting his third approach to the grass strip, when a gust of wind "blew" the airplane to the right towards the trees. He said that before he could recover the airplane "hit" the ground. According to the FAA inspector's statement, the pilot said he was making low approaches into the strip with no intention of landing. The purpose of the flight was to get a good look at the airship to determine if any trees should be removed near the airstrip, because the pilot wanted to move his airplane. He said as he was making a low approach down the runway a gust of wind caught the airplane. The wing touched the runway and forced the aircraft to the ground. The FAA inspector stated that he found evidence of impact about 1/3 of the length of the airstrip from the south end. The aircraft came to rest, turned around and was facing south, about 30 feet from the impact point. He checked continuity of the flight controls and the engine. He found "…no evidence of system or mechanical failures." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2371U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2371U-2006-06-14), registration cancelled 2006-06-14, S/N 17249971, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172D - Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17249971 - Airframe hours: 3683.82 - Engines: Continental O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William/Shelia David Austin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2002, 13 hours before - Departed: 22M, Pontotoc County, MS - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 18, 2,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 24, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 116 total, 116 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KTUP, 33 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 20030427008499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030427008499A), Apr 27, 2003: Cessna 172D, Randolph, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot lost control of aircraft near ground. 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.