# NTSB ATL84IA262: Cessna 150H, N50319, Gastonia, NC, August 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1984, 18:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Gastonia, NC
- Coordinates: 35.209121, -81.23085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2091&lon=-81.2309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6354
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84IA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6354/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84IA262

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT REACHED CHARLOTTE, NC, AND DISCOVERED HE COULD NOT TRANSMIT ON THE ACFT RADIO. PLT DIVERTED TO GASOTNIA, NC, BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE ARPT BECAUSE OF LOWERING VISIBILITY. PLT FLEW AROUND FOR A FEW MINUTES LOOKING FOR IDENTIFIABLE LANDMARKS. PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS PERFORMED IN A FIELD BECAUSE OF A LOW FUEL STATE. THE AFT TIEDOWN RING WAS DAMAGED AFTER CONTACTING THE GROUND DURING LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50319](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50319-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 15069225, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069225
- Airframe hours: 3965
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clifford L. Fain
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1984, 32 hours before
- Departed: PVT, VILLA RICA, GA
- Destination: CLT, CHARLOTTE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,400 total, 1,050 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 13 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19840818063909I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840818063909I), Aug 18, 1984: Cessna 150H, Gastonia, NC, Minor damage. Low on fuel, unable to find airport. Landed in field. Tiedown ring bent and skin torn from striking rock.

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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