# NTSB ATL91FA110: Cessna 150J, N60466, Monroe, GA, June 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1991, 04:20 local (08:20 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, GA
- Coordinates: 33.790378, -83.70993 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7904&lon=-83.7099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8325
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8325/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA110

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS ATTEMPTED FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER AND THE PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OF THE STUDENT PILOT FROM THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES PRIOR TO FLIGHT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FOGGY WEATHER CONDITION AT THE AIRPORT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - control interference - attempted, passenger
  - impairment(alcohol), passenger
  - emotional reaction, passenger
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS TAXIING HIS AIRPLANE AT 4 A.M. WITH A FRIEND ON BOARD.  A WITNESS REPORTED FORWARD VISIBILITY TO BE 300 FEET IN HEAVY FOG. WHILE TAXIING ON THE RUNWAY WITH THE NOSE WHEEL OFF THE GROUND (FULL POWER APPLIED),  THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WENT OUT.  THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE, AND THE PASSENGER BEGAN TO PANIC.  A STRUGGLE FOR CONTROL ENSUED, AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES PAST THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL AFTER THE ACCIDENT WAS .04 PERCENT.  THE PASSENGER'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.13 PERCENT.  THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED IN OVER 14 MONTHS, AND THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60466](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60466-2013-04-25), registration cancelled 2013-04-25, S/N 15070329, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150J
- Registry model: [Cessna 150J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150j) (registry code 2071820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15070329
- Airframe hours: 3925
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rutledge, Joe R.
- Registered owner: Rutledge, Joe R.
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1990, 30 hours before
- Airport: A06, Monroe, runway 3, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN, 21 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 19910615021859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910615021859A), Jun 15, 1991: Cessna 150J, Monroe, GA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Intoxicated pilot departed into zero IMC at night. Struggled with passenger on controls. Crashed. Unairworthy craft

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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