Cessna 172 accident near Inman, South Carolina, July 29, 2004
On July 29, 2004 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N3967F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Inman, South Carolina (Windridge (Private Strip) airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the ground while maneuvering for a visual approach to land.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2004 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Inman, South Carolina · Windridge (Private Strip) · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N3967F · no longer on the register · serial 36867
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that while on final approach to land, the airplane cleared power lines that extended across the approach end of runway 36. The airplane touched down approximately 950 feet down the 2000-foot long by 60-foot wide sod runway. From 800 feet down the runway to the departure end, the runway slopes downward approximately 100 feet. The pilot stated that the airplane's braking was ineffective on the wet grass and because he was unable to stop the airplane, he applied power and attempted to takeoff. The pilot stated that the airplane became airborne, but approximately 25 feet above ground level (agl), he realized the airplane would not clear trees at the end of the runway. He stated that as he attempted to bank the airplane right towards the runway, the right wing tip collided with the ground. The airplane came to rest approximately 30 feet left of the departure end of runway 36. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the nose wheel and strut separated from the airplane. There was also damage to the right wing tip, right wing aileron, left horizontal stabilizer, side of engine and the propeller was bent. Approximately 400-800 feet down the runway from the approach end of runway 36, the level portion of the runway has a field elevation of 940 feet above mean sea level (msl). The departure end of runway 36 has a field elevation of 840 feet msl. The pilot reported that at the time of the attempted landing, the condition of the runway surface was "soaking wet." Thunderstorm activity had been reported in the area earlier that day.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,232 hours in all; 999 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 8, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,358.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 25, 2002; 73.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300 A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Inman SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,800 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from KGSP, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.