# NTSB BFO85LA029: Cessna 150H, N23231, South Hill, VA, March 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1985, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: South Hill, VA
- Coordinates: 36.720817, -78.120895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7208&lon=-78.1209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11167/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA029

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - instructions,written/verbal - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE STUDENT PILOT BECAME DISORIENTATED AFTER ABOUT 60MIN OF FLT. HE ATMPTD TO CALL IN THE BLIND ON GUARD. FREQ. BOTH DANVILLE AND ROANOK FSS'S RESPONDED TO HIS CALLS BUT WERE UNABLE TO ESTABLISH 2 WAY COMMO WITH THE PLT. IN ADDITION OTR ACFT IN THE AREA ALSO TRIED TO TALK TO HIM WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. THE ACFT EVENTUALLY RAN OUT OF FUEL AND DURING THE FORCED LNDG THE RT WING COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND THE ACFT LNDD HARD IN A PLOWED FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23231](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N23231), registered now, S/N 15068811, 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: 15068811
- Airframe hours: 13678
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Shenandoah Aviation Serv. Inc.
- Registered owner: Showalter Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1984, 688 hours before
- Departed: GSO, GREENSBORO, NC
- Destination: W78, SOUTH BOSTON, VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 5W2, Mecklenburg-Brunswick Reg

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAN, 63 nm away

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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