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Aircraft Crashes on Mountainous Terrain During Sightseeing Flight (N53667)

Caesars Head, SC, US

On June 25, 1989, a Cessna 172P (registration N53667) operated by Cornerstone Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Caesars Head, SC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED WHILE FLYING OVER RISING TERRAIN, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND COLLISION WITH WOODED TERRAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft on a sightseeing flight was reported missing the day after departure. It was found crashed on mountainous terrain, having turned toward rising terrain while traveling down a valley.

Incident Overview

A certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that he would be departing on a sightseeing flight. The following day, the aircraft was reported missing, prompting a search operation. The wreckage was located on June 29, 1989, where it had crashed on mountainous terrain.

Radar Data

Radar data indicated that the aircraft was traveling down a valley and subsequently turned toward rising terrain. Shortly after, it crashed on wooded, mountainous terrain at an elevation of approximately 2,000 feet. The aircraft was consumed by fire.

Wreckage Examination

An examination of the wreckage did not reveal any mechanical failure or malfunction that would have resulted in the accident.

Aerodynamic stall

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 25 Jun 1989 Cessna 172P accident near Caesars Head, SC?

An aircraft on a sightseeing flight was reported missing the day after departure. It was found crashed on mountainous terrain, having turned toward rising terrain while traveling down a valley.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 25 Jun 1989 involved a Cessna 172P, registration N53667, operated by Cornerstone Aviation, at Caesars Head, SC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED WHILE FLYING OVER RISING TERRAIN, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND COLLISION WITH WOODED TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28500. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.