CESSNA 150D

Hermleigh, TX, August 4, 2013

Event Information

DateAugust 4, 2013
Event TypeACC
LocationHermleigh, TX
CountryUSA
Coordinates32.58167, -100.76334
Highest InjuryNONE
NTSB NumberCEN13CA485
Event ID20130812X03225

Aircraft

MakeCESSNA
Model150D
Registration #N4281U
OperatorU S FLIGHT ACADEMY
OwnerFRANK B WASHBURN TRUSTEE
CategoryAIR
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
None1
Total Injured0

Event Location

Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

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.

About This NTSB Record

This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.

All Aviation Events More in TX