# Accident 20031106030399A: Cessna 150H, Bruceton Mills, WV, November 6, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 6, 2003, 15:25 local time
- Place: Bruceton Mills, WV
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Unauth Low Level Opns
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.5686° N, 79.6358° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5686&lon=-79.6358&mi=10
- Aircraft: N23178, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23178-2013-08-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 150H (registry code 2071818, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-200 series (registry code 17020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Reported engine: CONT O200*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 65 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC04LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA024) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031106030399A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT BY A WITNESS WHO OBSERVED THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE VALLEY POINT AIRPORT THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS IN POSSESSION OF A LARGE BOTTLE OF BEER. THE WITNESS STATED THAT PILOT TOOK AN APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTE NAP IN HIS HANGAR JUST PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE PRIVATE AIRPORT. THE WITNESS STATED THE PILOT STAGGERED OUT OF THE HANGAR AND MOMENTS LATER HE HEARD AN AIRCRAFT ENGINE "START UP". ACCORDING TO THE WITNESS STATEMENT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE AIRPORT AT THE TIME THE ACCIDENT DEPARTED WERE CEILING 100 FOOT OVERCAST VISIBILITY 3/4 MILE WITH LIGHT DRIZZLE AND FOG. ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT BY A WITNESS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED CIRCLING OVER HER HOUSE IN A RIGHT HAND TURN. THE WITNESS STATED THE AIRCRAFT WAS VERY "LOW" AND IN A STEEP BANK AS IT COMPLETED ITS SECOND CIRCLE AND DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT. THE WITNESS STATED A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE AIRCRAFT WAS NO LONGER VISIBLE SHE HEARD A "CRASH". THE WITNESS STATED SHE IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO HER HOUSE AND CALLED 911.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC04LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA024), Nov 6, 2003: Cessna 150H (N23178), Bruceton Mills, WV, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's physical impairment due to alcohol and his improper decision to attempt flight with a low cloud ceiling, low visibility, after consuming alcohol. A related factor in the accident was the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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