# NTSB MIA97LA105: Cessna 172N, N738NC, St Matthews, SC, March 31, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 1997, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: St Matthews, SC - Coordinates: 33.659526, -80.769683 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6595&lon=-80.7697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38235 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38235/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA105 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper decision to take off downwind with gusty wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - gusts (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (cause) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) was instructing a non-current pilot in soft field takeoff procedures. According to the CFI, they took off from runway 14, the downwind runway, because runway 32 was upslope, and the trees adjacent to the runway gave protection from the wind. As the airplane climbed above trees located on both sides of the runway, the CFI said he encountered wind shear and could not fly out of it. He said the airplane went into a left bank and descended. He elected to land straight ahead in a field. During the landing in soft sand the airplane nosed over. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 300 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 27 knots. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 1997, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N738NC, registered to Carolina Flying Club Inc., crashed during a forced landing near St. Matthews, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The local instructional flight was originating at the time, and was being conducted in accordance with Title 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial-rated pilot/certified flight instructor (CFI), private pilot, and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The CFI was instructing the non-current private pilot, in soft field takeoff procedures. The CFI said, as the airplane climbed above the trees that were located on both sides of the runway, the flight encountered windshear and he could not fly out of it. He said, the airplane went into a "left bank" and descended. He elected to land straight ahead in a field. During the landing in soft sand, the airplane nosed over. According to the FAA inspector's statement the pilot used runway 14 (the downwind runway) because "runway 32 was upslope and the trees adjacent to the runway gave protection from the wind." The pilot said to the FAA inspector that he previously used the downwind runway and the "climbout was smooth." The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 300 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 27 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N738NC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738NC), registered now, S/N 17270099, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270099 - Airframe hours: 3452 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Carolina Flying Club Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 30, 1997, 50 hours before - Destination: CUB, COLUMBIA, SC - Airport: SC90, Do-Little Field [Pvt], runway 14, 3,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 20 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 28.00 inHg ## 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 19970331010779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970331010779A), Mar 31, 1997: Cessna 172N, North, SC, Destroyed. Made downwind takeoff. Lost control due wind conditions. Crashed off airport. Near gross wt and turbulence factors. (-23) on 03/31/97, at approximately 1000… 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.