Temco GC-1B accident near Grantham, North Carolina, February 10, 1991
On February 10, 1991 at about 7:45 pm local time, a Temco GC-1B, registered N77PB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grantham, North Carolina (Cox Grantham 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 IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, AND HIS ATTEMPT TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT WHILE IT WAS LOADED OVER ITS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 10, 1991 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Grantham, North Carolina · Cox Grantham · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Temco GC-1B · all GC-1Bs on the register
- Registration
- N77PB · registry record · serial 1390
- 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 DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, BUT WOULD NOT CLIMB OR GAIN AIRSPEED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING. NO PRE-ACCIDENT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS APPROXIMATELY 175 POUNDS OVER ITS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT. THE FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT WAS GOLD IN COLOR AND SMELLED LIKE AUTO FUEL.
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: 918 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 856 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,220 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 16, 1986; 29 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,710 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental C-85-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6NCO Grantham NC at 7:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 2,800 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Observation at 8:55 pm from GSB, 56 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.