Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate procedure in that he elected to land the aircraft on unsuitable terrain with no mechanical malfunctions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While in cruise flight, the pilot became geographicaly disoriented. He then elected to land in a farmer's field. On landing roll, the nose gear settled into the soft terrain, causing the airplane to nose over and rest on the right wing. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulty with the aircraft.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 12, 1995, at 1155 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N13547, nosed over during the landing roll, after a precautionary landing in a field near Bayboro, North Carolina. The pleasure flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; the pilot and passengers were not injured. The flight's exact departure time from Dare County Airport in Manteo, North Carolina, was not determined. Reportedly, the pilot became disoriented while enroute to Manteo, and noticed that the aircraft fuel gauges were indicating approximately 1/2 tanks. At this point, the pilot decided to execute a precautionary landing to a nearby field. During the landing roll the airplane nosed over in the soft field, causing the airplane to be damaged. -