Fleet 16B accident near Lake City, South Carolina, October 1, 2010
On October 1, 2010 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Fleet 16B, registered N8742, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (to runway) near Lake City, South Carolina (Lake City Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper use of the brakes while taxiing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 1, 2010 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lake City, South Carolina · Lake City Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Fleet 16B NO SERIES
- Registration
- N8742 · registry record · serial 491
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he was back taxiing on the runway when the tailwind and runway slope allowed the airplane to gain more than normal taxi speed. As the pilot realized the airplane was approaching the end of the runway, he began to apply brake pressure to avoid running off the end of the runway. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, substantially damaging the rudder. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Abrupt maneuver during taxi (to runway) defining event
- Miscellaneous/other during taxi (to runway)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,520 hours in all; 1,410 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,520 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 13, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, March 5, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 2,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Kinner R-540-1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 51J Lake City SC
- Destination: 51J Lake City SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 3,700 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft; scat at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 5:35 pm from CKI, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.