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NTSB Report

October 16, 2003 · Cessna 150M · N3807V

Wax, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 16, 2003
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Wax, KY
Aircraft
Cessna 150M
Tail Number
N3807V
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC04LA011

The pilot and passenger departed on a local flight and when the airplane did not return to the departure airport, it was reported as missing. The airplane was located in a lake, submerged in 21 feet of water. A power line which extended about 870 feet, was approximately 80 to 85 feet above the lake in the vicinity of the accident site. A power interruption was reported on the power line about 1 hour after the airplane departed, and subsequent examination of the power line revealed it was damaged. A witness who lived near the accident site stated he observed an airplane about the time of the accident, "buzzing the lake and flying really low." Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine. Vertical cuts with diagonal marks consistent with a wire strike, were observed on the leading edges of the left and right wings. Weather reported at an airport about 30 miles south-southwest of the accident site, about the time of the accident, included a visibility of 10 miles and clear skies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Low altitude flight is a contributing factor.

Full Narrative

On October 16, 2003, about 1755 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N3807V, was substantially damaged when it struck wires and impacted a lake, while maneuvering in Wax, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight that departed the Vine Grove Airport (70KY), Vine Grove, Kentucky, about 1700. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was based at 70KY. According to the owner of the airplane, the pilot arrived at the airport about 1615 and was informed that another pilot had reserved the airplane at 1630. The pilot elected to wait around, and when the previously scheduled flight was cancelled, he refueled the airplane and departed about 1700. The airplane was reported as missing after it did not return to Vine Grove, on the evening of October 16. The airplane was located about 30 miles south-southwest of 70KY, in Nolin Lake, on October 18, 2003, submerged in 21 feet of water. A power line which extended about 870 feet, was approximately 80 to 85 feet above the lake in the vicinity of the accident site. According to a power company representative, a power interruption was reported at 1755, on October 16, and subsequent examination of the power line revealed it was damaged. The power line was unmarked. It consisted of a neutral conductor, which was found broken, and a 7,200 volt "#452 alumoweld single phase tap line," which had separated from it's cross arm as it crossed the lake. During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, a witness who lived near the accident site stated he observed an airplane about the time of the accident, "buzzing the lake and flying really low." The airplane was recovered on October 20, 2003, and examined at the Vine Grove Airport. The examination did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to all primary control surfaces. Vertical cuts with diagonal marks consistent with a wire strike, were observed on the leading edges of the left and right wings. The airplane had been operated for about 82 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed on March 1, 2003. The pilot reported 180 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for an FAA third class medical certificate, which was issued on April 7, 2003. Weather reported at an airport about 30 miles south-southwest of the accident site, at 1753, included a visibility of 10 miles and clear skies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:55 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150M
Tail NumberN3807V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 46
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data