N4281UCESSNA 150D2013-08-04 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
None

CESSNA 150DS/N: 15060281

Summary

On August 04, 2013, a Cessna 150D (N4281U) was involved in an incident near Hermleigh, TX. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's improper positional awareness, which resulted in an off airport landing and impact with terrain.

The pilot reported that he held a rating in only helicopter and he was receiving instruction to add an airplane single engine land rating to his private pilot certificate. He was on a solo cross country flight and had been inflight for about three hours when he became disoriented and was unable to find an airport. Because of his low fuel situation the pilot elected to make a precautionary off field landing to an unpaved road. After touchdown, directional control was lost and the airplane impacted an embankment on the side of the road resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN13CA485. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4281U.

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, August 4, 2013
NTSB Number
CEN13CA485
Location
Hermleigh, TX
Event ID
20130812X03225
Coordinates
32.581665, -100.763336
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper positional awareness, which resulted in an off airport landing and impact with terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
15060281
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1963
Model / ICAO
150DC150
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
150

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
US FLIGHT ACADEMY INTL INC
Address
405 S AVENUE C UNIT B
City
POST
State / Zip Code
TX 79356-3442
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that he held a rating in only helicopter and he was receiving instruction to add an airplane single engine land rating to his private pilot certificate. He was on a solo cross country flight and had been inflight for about three hours when he became disoriented and was unable to find an airport. Because of his low fuel situation the pilot elected to make a precautionary off field landing to an unpaved road. After touchdown, directional control was lost and the airplane impacted an embankment on the side of the road resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN13CA485