# NTSB ERA22LA060: Cessna 150, N6714S, Wilkes-Barre, PA, November 14, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 14, 2021, 18:59 local (23:59 UTC) - Place: Wilkes-Barre, PA · Hilly, wooded terrain. - Coordinates: 41.23846, -75.6895 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2385&lon=-75.6895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104242 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104242/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104242 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA060 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to commence the flight in marginal visual flight rules conditions at night, and his failure to maintain a safe altitude once instrument conditions were encountered. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: snow](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was returning to his home base under night, marginal, visual flight rules conditions. While enroute, he inadvertently entered instrument conditions and a sudden “snow squall.” He was blinded by the snow and tried to maintain wings level. The airplane gradually descended and impacted trees and terrain, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He had received some instrument training; however, he was not instrument rated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6714S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6714S-2023-08-30), registration cancelled 2023-08-30, S/N 15067514, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (H) - 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: 15067514 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 4554 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pocono Mountains Flying Club Inc - Registered owner: Pocono Mountains Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 2021 - Departed: AVP, Wilkes-Barre, PA - Destination: MPO, Mount Pocono, PA - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 196 total, 195 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: KAVP, 6 nm away - METAR: KAVP 142354Z VRB06KT 10SM OVC041 05/M02 A2976 RMK AO2 SLP083 T00501022 10072 20050 56002 ## 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 20211114019499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211114019499A), Nov 14, 2021: Cessna 150H, Wilkes Barre, PA, Substantial damage. Weather brief at mpo prior to takeoff, "marginal VFR." Per pilots statement. Pilot took off and proceeded to do two touch and go landings at avp. Climbing out… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 20, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104242. 36.1 MB in all. - Pilot questionnaire provided to FAA (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 603 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13345980&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%20Pilot%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13345340&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf - NTSB memorandum for record - pilot interview (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13345888&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20508%20C%20White-Rel.pdf - Excerpts - aircraft logbook (item 4, PDF, 10 pages, 6.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13346095&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20N6714S%20Airframe_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Excerpts - engine logbook (item 5, PDF, 10 pages, 9.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13345898&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20N6714S%20Engine_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 6, PDF, 6 pages, 739 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13345998&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Weather factual report (item 7, PDF, 24 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13432497&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA060_weatherfactualSuffernfinal-Rel.pdf - Weather attachment 1 (item 8, GIF, 15.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13432756&FileExtension=gif&FileName=attachment1_animationwxradar_2330to0012utc-Rel.gif - Weather attachment 2 (item 9, PDF, 3 pages, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13433133&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=attachment2_foreflightforERA22LA060_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.