# NTSB BFO87FA037: Cessna 150M, N714FZ, Elkton, MD, May 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1987, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Elkton, MD
- Coordinates: 39.599361, -75.820465 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5994&lon=-75.8205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11285
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87FA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11285/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87FA037

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE OVER AN AREA OF OPEN FIELDS WHEN ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE ACFT ABRUPTLY PITCHED DOWN AND DESCENDED TO THE GROUND. SOME WITNESSES STATED THEY HEARD THE ENGINE OPERATING THROUGHOUT THE DESCENT WHILE OHTER WITNESSES REPORTED NO ENGINE SOUNDS. THE PLT STATED BEFORE THE FLIGHT THAT HE WAS GOING TO DO SOME PRACTICE FLYING. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT A PRACTICE AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N714FZ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15079153
- Airframe hours: 3070
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A48B 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John R. Hite
- Registered owner: Joseph R Hite
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1986, 98 hours before
- Departed: 58M, ELKTON, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,842 total, 232 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILG, 9 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 19870517013459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870517013459A), May 17, 1987: Cessna 150M, Elkton, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed in practice area. Pitch down and hit ground. Cause not determined.

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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