# NTSB BFO86LA039: Cessna 150M, N704VE, Clifton, VA, July 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1986, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Clifton, VA
- Coordinates: 37.629173, -79.799392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6292&lon=-79.7994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86LA039

## 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
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE AND HIS WIFE HAD DEPARTED MOUNT OLIVE, NC ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT ENROUTE TO ROMEO, MI. AFTER REFUELING AT DANVILLE, VA THEY DEPARTED BUT RAN INTO WEATHER NEAR BECKLY AND DIVERTED TO THE EAST. UNABLE TO LOCATE GREENBRIER AIRPORT AT WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV AND WITH THE WEATHER GETTING WORSE HE SUCCESSFULLY LANDED IN A WEED FIELD AT CLIFTON FORGE, VA. AFTER OFFLOADING HIS WIFE, THEIR LUGGAGE, AND ADDING 10 GALLONS OF FUEL TO THE AIRCRAFT HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM THE WET 1800 FOOT FIELD AT ABOUT 1730 HOURS WITH THE DENSITY ALTITUDE ABOVE 3000 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES AND CAME TO REST INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N704VE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15078902
- Airframe hours: 3217
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis Clarence Gill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1986, 10 hours before
- Destination: SSU, GREENBRIER, VA
- Airport: SSU, Greenbrier

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,267 total, 326 in this make and model, 1,092 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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