# NTSB ATL87FA087: Cessna 150H, N50077, Oneida, TN, March 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1987, 00:00 local (05:00 UTC)
- Place: Oneida, TN
- Coordinates: 36.499431, -84.50962 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4994&lon=-84.5096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA087

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT CONTACTED THE FSS SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE MORNING FOR WEATHER ALONG HIS PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER LUNCH HE DEPARTED WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN. HE REPORTED TO ONE FSS THAT HE WAS VFR ONLY BUT CONTINUED ALTHOUGH VFR WAS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PORTIONS OF HIS ROUTE. AT ONE POINT HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS AT 6,000 FT AND ON TOP, AND ASKED FOR DIRECTIONS TO AN AIRPORT THAT WAS VFR. LATER HE WAS HEARD TRYING TO CONTACT THE TOWER AT HIS DESTINATION. A COMMERCIAL FLIGHT TRIED TO RELAY INFORMATION TO HIM BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. AN NTAP READ OUT OF RADAR DATA ENDS SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND WRAPPED AROUND A TREE ON THE SIDE OF A VERTICAL ROCK CLIFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N50077 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15069049
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Benjamin Earl Canady
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3M3, CLIFTON, TN
- Destination: LEX, LEXINGTON, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOZ, 45 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 19870309007289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870309007289A), Mar 9, 1987: Cessna 150H, Oneida, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flying through mountains, collided with trees and terrain. Deteriorating weather. Suspect aircraft in a spin.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.