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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

July 24, 1993 · Cessna 150E · N6197T

Pelion, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Pelion, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 150E
Tail Number
N6197T
Operator
Gunter Roy S
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL93LA133

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT ELECTED TO TAKE OFF AFTER A ONE HOUR DELAY FOR FOGGY CONDITIONS. HE DID NOT OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING. HE CHECKED A NEARBY ATIS AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, AND THEY WERE REPORTING IFR CONDITIONS. HE REACHED HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT, AND OBSERVED THAT IT WAS 'PARTIALLY FOGGED IN.' HE ELECTED TO CIRCLE THE AIRFIELD UNTIL CONDITIONS IMPROVED. THE WEATHER BEGAN TO DETERIORATE FURTHER, AND THE PILOT ENTERED IMC. HE THEN ELECTED TO DESCEND AND LOOK FOR AN OPEN FIELD SINCE HIS FUEL STATUS WAS LOW. HE BROKE OUT OF THE WEATHER, AND MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A COTTON FIELD AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS. THE NOSE GEAR FAILED AFTER LANDING ON THE ROUGH TERRAIN, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS STRUCTURALLY DAMAGED

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION PRIOR TO COMMENCING THE FLIGHT. FACTORS WERE THE FOG AND LOW CEILING WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN AT THE LANDING SITE

Full Narrative

On July 24, 1993, at about 0930 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150E, N6197T, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in a cotton field near Pelion, South Carolina. The commercial pilot had minor injuries in the accident. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Fairview, South Carolina. The flight originated in Perry, South Carolina at about 0745. According to an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration, the flight departed from a private airstrip in Perry under visual flight rules (VFR). Prior to the flight, the pilot checked the weather in Columbia, South Carolina. At that time, instrument flight rules (IFR) weather prevailed in Columbia, with a forecast for improvement. As he continued with his flight, the weather deteriorated. He continued toward his destination, expecting an improvement in the weather. The weather did not improve, so he initiated a precautionary landing in a cotton field. During the landing attempt, the left wing contacted the ground, and the aircraft cartwheeled. The aircraft came to rest on its tail.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150E
Tail NumberN6197T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGunter Roy S
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 3 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data