# NTSB MIA96LA050: Nanchang China CJ6A, N3104U, Planterville, SC, December 28, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1995, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Planterville, SC
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37964/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA050

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A pilot-rated witness stated that he saw the airplane maneuvering at about 300 feet, when he heard the engine sound stop. He then heard the airplane impact trees and then the ground. The airplane and engine were examined and no preimpact failure or malfuntion was noted.

## Factual narrative

On  December 28, 1995, about 1430 eastern standard time, a Nan Chang/China CJ6A, N3104U, experimental airplane registered to Planes And Things Inc., crashed 13 miles south west of Myrtle Beach Airport near Planterville, 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 instrument-rated private pilot and one passenger received fatal injuries. The flight had originated from the Myrtle Beach Airport, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, shortly before the crash.

A pilot-rated witness stated that he saw the airplane maneuvering at about 300 feet, when he heard the engine sound stop, and then heard the airplane impact the ground. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident scene and reported all flight controls were present and all control failures were consistent with overload. The engine was removed and examined in a local repair facility. Crankshaft, cam shaft, and valve train continuity was established. The right magneto and carburetor were destroyed. The left magneto exhibited signs of normal wear.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3104U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3104U-1996-05-15), registration cancelled 1996-05-15, S/N 1432049 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Nanchang CHINA CJ6A
- Registry model: [Nanchang China CJ-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/nanchang-china-cj-6a) (registry code 056183N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1432049
- Engines: ZHUZHOU HUOSAI-6 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Planes And Things Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1995
- Departed: MYR, MYRTLE BEACH, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,285 total, 140 in this make and model, 1,189 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYR, 12 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 19951228042649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951228042649A), Dec 28, 1995: Nancng CJ6A, Myrtle Beach, SC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed maneuvering low altitude. Engine stopped. Impacted ground. No engine defects found.

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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