Amateur-built AIRCAMPER GN-1 accident near Florence, South Carolina, May 17, 2000
On May 17, 2000 at about 3:26 pm local time, a amateur-built AIRCAMPER GN-1, registered N2308C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Florence, South Carolina (Florence Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control after takeoff resulting in the uncontrolled descent and impact on a closed runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 2000 · about 3:26 pm local time
- Place
- Florence, South Carolina · Florence Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built AIRCAMPER GN-1 AIRCAMPER
- Registration
- N2308C · registry record · serial GN-1-632
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot obtained current weather before takeoff from the FBO and also by ATIS. The preflight and engine run-up were uneventful. After takeoff about 20 feet agl, the airplane suddenly and violently banked to the left. He corrected with full right rudder and right aileron but was unsuccessful, the left wing of the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot reduced power and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on a closed runway. Post crash examination of the flight controls by the pilot and an FAA inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The pilot also stated that there was no evidence of preimpact structural failure or malfunction. A weather observation taken on the airport 17 minutes after the accident indicates in part that the wind was from 240 degrees at 9 knots variable from 200 to 290 degrees. There were no reported wind gusts.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,297 hours in all; 414 in this make and model; 81 in the last 90 days; 36 in the last 30 days; 3,956 as pilot in command; 150 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 683 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2000; 66 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,130 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A65-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FLO at 3:26 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 5,999 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:43 pm from FLO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.