Summary
On November 21, 2010, a Cessna 172N (N882AV) was involved in an accident near Bluffton, SC. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: An in-flight upset of undetermined origin resulting in a forced landing.
On November 20, 2010, at 2000 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N882AV, registered to MDS Enterprises LLC, experienced an in-flight upset of undetermined origin while maneuvering in the vicinity of Bluffton, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot received minor injuries during a forced landing in a river. The flight departed from Hilton Head Airport, Hilton Head, South Carolina, at 1945, en-route to Lowcountry Regional Airport, Walterboro, South Carolina.
The pilot stated that while paralleling the river in cruise flight at 2,000 feet mean sea level he felt a "violent" impact/upset and thought something had hit the rudder.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA11LA071. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N882AV.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
An in-flight upset of undetermined origin resulting in a forced landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On November 20, 2010, at 2000 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N882AV, registered to MDS Enterprises LLC, experienced an in-flight upset of undetermined origin while maneuvering in the vicinity of Bluffton, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot received minor injuries during a forced landing in a river. The flight departed from Hilton Head Airport, Hilton Head, South Carolina, at 1945, en-route to Lowcountry Regional Airport, Walterboro, South Carolina.
The pilot stated that while paralleling the river in cruise flight at 2,000 feet mean sea level he felt a "violent" impact/upset and thought something had hit the rudder. The airplane became unstable and started to rock from side to side and he elected to make a forced landing in the river.
The insurance company representing the registered owner stated it was not cost effective to attempt to locate or recover the airplane wreckage. The damage to the airplane is assumed to be substantial.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11LA071