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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 23, 1993 · Cessna C-150 · N704US

Cynthiana, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 23, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Cynthiana, KY
Aircraft
Cessna C-150
Tail Number
N704US
Operator
Michael R Havermehl
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC94LA013

THE STUDENT PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE DRINKING AT A LOCAL INN. THE PILOT INVITED THE PASSENGER TO GO FLYING IN THE PILOT'S LEASED AIRPLANE. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER TOOK OFF FROM THE LOCAL AIRPORT. THE FLIGHT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY ABOUT 0200, WHEN THE PILOT THOUGHT ANOTHER AIRPLANE WAS APPROACHING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. SHE TURNED THE AIRPLANE TO THE RIGHT, WHERE THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FLAPS WERE FULLY RETRACTED. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED IF THE PILOT WAS SIGNED OFF FOR NIGHT FLIGHT. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE PILOT APPEARED IMPAIRED. THE STUDENT PILOT REFUSED BLOOD TESTING REQUESTED BY THE POLICE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S ABRUPT CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON SHORT FINAL TO THE RUNWAY, WITH THE FLAPS RETRACTED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND THE SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE TREES. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO GO FLYING WITHIN 8 HOURS OF CONSUMING ALCOHOL, AT NIGHT, WITH A PASSENGER.

Full Narrative

On Saturday, October 23, 1993, about 0158 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N704US, piloted by Philip Habermehl, was destroyed when it struck trees during a balked landing to the Cynthiana Airport, Cynthiana, Kentucky. The pilot was seriously injured and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91. According to the Cynthiana Police Report, the student pilot and the passenger were drinking at a local Inn when the pilot asked the passenger if he wanted to "take a plane ride." Several area residents reported to the police hearing an airplane that evening, between 2230 and 0130. The police report stated, "...he was coming in for a landing, fog was moving in low, visibility poor and lights were very faint on landing strip. Philip [the student pilot] saw some light over the hill and thought it was another plane so he made a right hand turn to avoid a head on collision. The plane stalled, then bounced...into some trees." The airplane struck trees about 1/8 of a mile south of the runway, and came to rest on a highway. The police asked Mr. Habermehl for a blood test and he refused. The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector's report stated, "...Unknown if the airman was ever signed off for night flight...Witnesses indicated that the student pilot appeared impaired..." Examination of the wreckage revealed that the flaps were in the up position. During the investigation Mr. Philip P. Habermehl failed to respond to two requests for information. Mr. Michael R. Habermehl, the co-leaser, and Mr. Terry L. Nitz the airplane owner, also failed to respond to requests for information. END OF REPORT

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:58 EDT
Nearest AirportCynthiana-Harrison Co. (0nm S)
Runway29
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna C-150
Tail NumberN704US
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMichael R Havermehl
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind30° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time05:50

Appendix: Source Data