NTSB CAROL · Event
Event ATL98LA132
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft and his improper use of the brakes, which led to the aircraft departing the left side of the runway. Contributing factors were the wet runway and the vehicle.
Factual narrative
On September 26, 1998, about 0705 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N54013, collided with a tractor during landing on a grass strip in Farmville, North Carolina. The airplane was owned and operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Kinston Regional Jetport in Kinston, North Carolina, at 0650. The pilot stated that he flew a left traffic pattern for runway 03. He stated the final approach was flown at approximately 65 to 70 knots with 30 degrees of flaps. He said he landed about 500 feet down the runway, and during initial braking the aircraft began to slow down. However, the pilot said, that after a short time the brakes locked, and the aircraft slid off the left side of the wet grass runway striking a tractor and farm equipment. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. Examination of the aircraft, found impact damage to the right wing strut, right wing spar, right upper and lower engine cowlings, prop spinner, and sudden stoppage to the engine. The pilot stated that he flew a left traffic pattern for runway 03. He stated the final approach was flown at approximately 65 to 70 knots with 30 degrees of flaps. He said he landed about 500 feet down the runway, and during initial braking the aircraft began to slow down. However, the pilot said, that after a short time the brakes locked, and the aircraft slid off the left side of the wet grass runway striking a tractor and farm equipment. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_1998_ATL98LA132.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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