# NTSB ATL85LA040: Cessna 150H, N22741, Bumpass, VA, November 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1984, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Bumpass, VA
- Coordinates: 37.959548, -77.730094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9595&lon=-77.7301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA040

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

VFR PLT WAS USING VOR AIRWAY NAVIGATION. HE ARRIVED IN THE VICINITY OF DESTINATION AFTER DARK AND ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE THE ARPT BY FLYING A RADIAL FROM THE VOR; HOWEVER, HE USED THE 230 DEGREE RADIAL (PUBLISHED RADIAL IS 237 DEGREES). FURTHER, THE ARPT IS UNLIGHTED UNLESS PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE. PLT HAD NOT DONE SO. PLT FLEW BACK AND FORTH ALONG THE 230 RADIAL FOR 45 MINS BUT DID NOT SIGHT ARPT. DURING THIS TIME, PLT CALLED ARPT ON UNICOM FOR THE ACTIVE RUNWAY. UNKNOWN PLT RESPONDED WITH WIND DIRECTION, BUT NO ANSWER FROM ARPT. PLT DID NOT ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN ASSIST FROM ARTCC OR OTHER FACILITY. (THERE WERE 7 ARPTS WITHIN A 10 MI RADIUS OF THE VOR IN USE.) WHEN FUEL BECAME CRITICAL, PLT LOOKED FOR EMERG LNDG SITE BUT FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED. PLT SET UP MIN DESCENT RATE AND ALLOWED ACFT TO SETTLE INTO TREES. ACFT LODGED IN TREES AND THE PLT SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES UPON DEPLANING WHEN HE FELL 20 FT TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22741](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22741), registered now, S/N 15068486, 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: 15068486
- Airframe hours: 3315
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald A.Massey
- Registered owner: Nancy K. Massey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1984, 16 hours before
- Departed: PSF, PITTSFIELD, MA
- Destination: W07, FREDERICKSBURG, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 526 total, 152 in this make and model, 396 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 60 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).

- [Accident 19841120076599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841120076599A), Nov 20, 1984: Cessna 150H, Bumpass, VA, Substantial damage. Pilot was unable to locate airport at night. Incorrect radial used from VOR. Landed in trees after fuel ran out.

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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