History of Flight
On January 18, 2011, at 1307 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172S, registration N2100V, was substantially damaged when it collided with a tree, a travel trailer, and a pickup truck after a loss of control during a missed approach at Grand Strand Airport (CRE) in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. One occupant of the travel trailer and the certificated private pilot were fatally injured. The other occupant of the travel trailer was seriously injured, and a bystander received minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to voice and radar data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot had requested to perform three instrument approaches, beginning with a VOR Runway 23 approach. Upon completion, air traffic control (ATC) offered the pilot the option to land or execute a low approach. The pilot chose the low approach and was given a frequency change, which he acknowledged. During the missed approach, ATC directed the pilot to proceed direct to the VOR, enter holding northeast of the VOR at 3,000 feet mean sea level, and advise when ready for the ILS approach. The pilot then transmitted that he had gotten himself "a little out of whack" and was "just trying to straighten it out." Approximately one minute later, radar contact was lost, and ATC radio attempts were unsuccessful. Witnesses in a trailer park 1.2 miles southwest of CRE heard an airplane engine and then observed it impact a tree, a travel trailer, and a pickup truck, followed by multiple explosions and a large fire.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His instrument rating was issued on April 24, 2009, at which time he had 241 hours of flight experience including 45.2 hours of simulated instrument time. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on December 17, 2009, with 289 total hours reported. At the time of the accident, he had accrued 388 total hours and 21 hours of actual instrument flight experience.
Aircraft Information
The accident aircraft was a 2004 Cessna 172S, a high-wing, strut-braced, four-place, single-engine airplane powered by a 180-horsepower fuel-injected engine. It was certificated for instrument flight. All flight instruments were arranged in a basic "T" configuration with attitude and directional indicators air-driven by a dual vacuum pump system. The most recent annual inspection was completed on December 1, 2010, at 1,485.8 total hours.
Meteorological Information
At 1311, the reported weather at CRE included winds from 310 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 4 miles in mist, overcast ceiling at 600 feet, temperature 7°C, dew point 6°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.85 inches of mercury.
Airport Information
CRE had a single runway oriented 05/23, 5,997 feet long and 100 feet wide, equipped with precision markings, a 2-light PAPI indicating a 2.98-degree glide path, and medium-intensity approach lighting. An obstruction existed on the approach end of runway 23: a 105-foot tree located 3,582 feet from the runway end and 837 feet left of the centerline, requiring a 32:1 slope to clear.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination of the accident site revealed a wreckage path starting at the base of the tree and continuing on a 010-degree magnetic heading for about 250 feet. The tree held portions of the left wing and lift strut. The airplane impacted the trailer roof, penetrated the interior, and exited the front, then pushed a pickup truck across the street. The fuselage came to rest parallel to the path, facing opposite the direction of travel. No preimpact structural failure was found; flight controls were continuous and showed no jams. The throttle was full, mixture rich, magnetos on both, avionics master on, navigation lights on, and pitot heat on. The attitude indicator showed a 30-degree nose-down, wings-level attitude. The propeller and engine showed no preimpact failure; all spark plugs were normal, and engine continuity was confirmed. The pilot's seatbelt was latched.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy determined the pilot's cause of death as extensive trauma with subsequent burning from the crash. Toxicological testing was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and common drugs except quinine detected in the liver.
Tests and Research
Radar data indicated that after the pilot's transmission about being "out of whack," the airplane began a right turn, continuing for approximately 150 degrees before radar contact was lost.