# NTSB BFO85LA021: Cessna 150, N6562F, Martinsburg, WV, March 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1985, 13:06 local (18:06 UTC)
- Place: Martinsburg, WV
- Coordinates: 39.459884, -77.970169 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4599&lon=-77.9702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA021

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - radio communications - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF ON RWY 35 & DEPARTED THE ARPT WITHOUT CONTACTING THE TOWER. APRX 30 MIN LATER, HE RETURNED & MADE SVRL MISSED APCHS, STILL WITHOUT CONTACTING THE TOWER. TOWER PSNL TRIED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PLT & USED LIGHT SIGNALS WHILE DIRECTING OTHER TRAFFIC. THE PLT STATED (LATER) THAT HE SAW A C-130 ACFT ON THE TAXIWAY AS WELL AS SVRL OTHER LIGHT CIVIL ACFT IN THE AREA. HE THEN STATED THAT HE BECAME DISORIENTED & LOST CONTROL. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP CIRCLING MANEUVER WHICH TERMINATED WHEN THE LEFT WING HIT THE GROUND & THE ACFT FINALLY CAME TO REST BETWEEN RWY 8/26 & THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY. THE 75 YR OLD PLT HAD NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE CESSNA 150, HAD NOT FLOWN IN THE PREVIOUS 90 DAYS & HAD NEVER RECEIVED A BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6562F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6562F-1985-06-13), registration cancelled 1985-06-13, S/N 15063162 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15063162
- Airframe hours: 1941
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles F. Rouss
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1984
- Airport: MRB, Eastern West Virginia Reg, runway 35, 5,001 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 650 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRB

## 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 19850303067659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850303067659A), Mar 3, 1985: Cessna 150, Martinsburg, WV, Substantial damage. Departed and returned without contacting the tower. On go around, pitched up in a steep bank, a wing hit the ground

## Other investigations on N6562F (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC67D0097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67D0097), Jul 9, 1966: Cessna 150 (N6562F), Danvers, MA, substantial damage

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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