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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 6, 1998 · Cessna 172 · N4103F

Ocean Isle Bch, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Ocean Isle Bch, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N4103F
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL98LA104

The pilot returned to the departure airport for a full stop landing. As she turned final for the landing, she realized that another airplane was behind her in the traffic pattern. At this point she elected to maintain a higher than normal airspeed and altitude on final. The pilot reported that the airplane touched down about 2000 feet down the 4000 foot long runway. The airplane rolled off the departure end of the runway, crossed a two lane road, and collided with a ditch. The pilot also recalled that there was a slight cross wind during the landing, and as she applied brakes to stop the airplane, the brakes appeared to have been ineffective in slowing the airplane. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate inflight planning that resulted in excessive airspeed and altitude for a full stop landing.

Full Narrative

On August 6, 1998, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N4103F, collided with a ditch, according to the pilot, on the departure end of runway 06 at the Ocean Isle Beach airport in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. A review of weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. An examination of the airplane at the accident site disclosed that the airframe received substantial damage. The private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane departed Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, at 1030. The pilot reported that she had completed a routine pleasure flight and had returned to Ocean Isle Beach for a full stop landing. As she turned final for the landing, she realized that another airplane was behind her in the traffic pattern. At this point she elected to maintain a higher than normal airspeed and altitude on final. The pilot reported that the airplane touched down about 2000 feet down the 4000 foot long runway. The airplane rolled off the departure end of the runway, crossed a two lane road, and collided with a ditch. The pilot also recalled that there was a slight cross wind during the landing, and as she applied brakes to stop the airplane, the brakes appeared to have been ineffective in slowing the airplane. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EDT
Nearest AirportOcean Isle Airport (0nm)
Runway6
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN4103F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 77 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data