# NTSB ATL82FA072: Cessna 150, N10914, Tilghman Island, MD, March 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1982, 07:05 local (12:05 UTC)
- Place: Tilghman Island, MD
- Coordinates: 38.690193, -76.33065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6902&lon=-76.3307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA072

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT/OWNER OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS ENDORSED TO FLY THE PLANE AND WOULD FLY IT FROM HIS FARM ON TILGHMAN ISLAND TO EASTON, MD FOR DUAL INSTRUCTION. SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, HE HAD ASKED HIS INSTRUCTOR (IP) TO SCHEDULE SOME TIME FOR AN EARLY MORNING FLIGHT ON 3/17/82. HIS INSTRUCTOR TOLD HIM TO COME "IF THE WEATHER WAS GOOD." THE IP AWOKE EARLY THAT MORNING AND OBSERVED HEAVY FOG AND LOW CEILINGS. HE ASSUMED THE STUDENT WOULD NOT COME AND WENT BACK TO BED. THE PILOT'S MOTHER REPORTED THAT FOG MOVED IN SHORTLY AFTER HE TOOK OFF FROM HIS FARM. CREWMEMBERS OF AN OYSTER BOAT NEAR THE ISLAND HEARD AN AIRCRAFT FLYING LOW OVERHEAD, BUT COULD NOT SEE THE PLANE DUE TO FOG AND A LOW CEILING. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THEY SAW THE PLANE COME OUT OF THE OVERCAST IN A RIGHT BANK, THEN LEVEL JUST BEFORE CRASHING IN THE WATER. THEY REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING SMOOTHLY UNTIL IT REVVED JUST BEFORE IMPACT. A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF .14% WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10914](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10914-2011-07-19), registration cancelled 2011-07-19, S/N 15075129, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075129
- Airframe hours: 2121
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald G. Stinchcomb
- Registered owner: Ronald G. Stinchcomb
- Departed: PVT, TILGHMAN ISLAND, MD
- Destination: ESN, EASTON, MD
- Airport: PVT, Cromwell Farm

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 42 total, 33 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 113 °F

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.

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