# NTSB BFO90FA070: Cessna 150G, N459AE, Ridgeway, VA, August 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1990, 18:58 local (22:58 UTC)
- Place: Ridgeway, VA
- Coordinates: 36.570758, -79.849624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5708&lon=-79.8496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90FA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90FA070

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRPLANE WAS ON A GO-AROUND, WHEN IT DESCENDED AND STRUCK THE GROUND.  SOME OF THE WITNESSES REPORTED THE FLAPS WERE EXTENDED AND THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT FULL POWER DURING THE GO-AROUND.  ONE WITNESS SAID THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING NEAR STALL SPEED BEFORE IT DESCENDED.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PASSENGER/OWNER WAS SEATED IN THE LEFT SEAT, AND HE HAD ABOUT 3 HOURS OF TOTAL TIME.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N459AE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N459AE-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 15066604, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150G
- Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15066604
- Airframe hours: 5747
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William H. Taylor
- Registered owner: William H. Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1990, 3 hours before
- Departed: MARTINSVILLE, VA
- Destination: RIDGEWAY, VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: VA02, Pace, runway 18, 3,000 ×  ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAN, 25 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 19900814032959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900814032959A), Aug 14, 1990: Cessna 150G, Ridgeway, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Tried go around flaps down nose high. Stalled. Passenger owner left seat only 3 hrs flying time. PIC private pilot.

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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