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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 23, 1996 · Cessna 150C · N1947Z

Liberty, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 23, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Liberty, KY
Aircraft
Cessna 150C
Tail Number
N1947Z
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
IAD96LA151

According to an FAA inspector, the student pilot was not endorsed by his flight instructor within the last ninety days to make solo flights. Several witnesses reported that the student pilot/owner would overfly their homes at a low altitude. One witness reported that the airplane would 'fly low and then the engine would increase power to climb over the trees.' He stated that the airplane made several passes before it struck trees, then descended to the ground and was destroyed by fire. Examination of the accident site by FAA personnel revealed portions of the left wing in the wooded area. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failure of the airplane or engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude, while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in in-flight collision with trees.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 23, 1996, at 1200 eastern daylight time, N1947Z, a Cessna 150C, collided with trees near Liberty, Kentucky. The student pilot, the sole occupant was fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Russellville, Kentucky, exact time unknown. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Inspector, the pilot/owner was not endorsed by his flight instructor within the last ninety days to make solo flights. According to the FAA, several witnesses reported that the airplane was flying low over their homes before it struck trees. One of the witnesses reported that he was outside watching the airplane, "...circling around and swooping down low, then revved the engine as he turned to climb up over the trees and hill...it came around again, swooping down low, then revving the engine to pull up over the trees... ." He stated that he heard the airplane hit a tree, then he saw the left wing damaged. The witness stated that the airplane became slow and unstable before it pitched over and struck the ground at a steep angle. The airplane descended to the ground and was destroyed by fire. Examination of the accident site by the FAA revealed portions of the left wing tip in the wooded area. A couple of small branches with live foliage and fresh breaks were also located at the accident site. Examination of the airplane after the accident by the FAA did not disclose any pre-impact failure of the airplane or engine. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION A Medical Examination of the pilot/airplane owner was performed by Dr. Emily Craig, State Medical Examiner in Frankfort, Kentucky, on September 24, 1996. Toxicological testing was conducted by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI), in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The following results were obtained: 39.000 mg/dl Ethanol detected in Blood; No Ethanol detected in Urine; 79.000 mg/dl Ethanol detected in Muscle Fluid; 10.000 mg/dl N-Propanol detected in Blood; 1.000 mg/dl Acetaldehyde detected in Muscle Fluid. According to CAMI, the ethanol found in this case is most likely from postmortem ethanol production.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150C
Tail NumberN1947Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:58
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data