# NTSB ERA25LA019: Cessna 150, N11519, Gainesville, GA, October 18, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 18, 2024, 18:26 local (22:26 UTC)
- Place: Gainesville, GA · RWY 5
- Coordinates: 34.271137, -83.833638 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2711&lon=-83.8336&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Medical event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 195345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195345/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195345
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA019

## Probable cause

The pilot’s sudden incapacitation due to an in-flight cardiac arrest, which necessitated a landing by a non-pilot passenger and resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the nose landing gear.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Impairment/incapacitation: cardiovascular](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012050): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012050/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012050/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach: Medical event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/850/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was approaching the destination airport following a short cross-country flight when he became incapacitated. The passenger reported that the pilot became unresponsive to her calling out to him. The passenger, who had no prior flight experience, reported that the pilot had already announced his intention to land on the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) and that she could see the airport when she took control of the airplane. Witnesses reported that she transmitted “emergency, emergency” on the CTAF. Although other pilots responded and offered assistance, she made no additional transmissions. FAA flight track data showed that after overflying the airport, the passenger made three unsuccessful landing attempts before landing on runway 5 on the fourth attempt. The last flight track data point showed the airplane about 250 ft southwest of the runway 05 threshold on a northeasterly track at a ground speed of 108 knots. The airplane impacted the runway nose first, collapsing the nose landing gear, and slid along the runway. A small fire subsequently developed near the forward portion of the airplane, and the lower forward fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot was transported to a local hospital, where he died two days later. Based on the available medical evidence, the pilot’s sudden incapacitation was likely due to in-flight cardiac arrest. The pilot had significant underlying heart disease, including coronary artery disease and heart damage from a previous heart attack. Toxicological testing identified no impairing substances. An autopsy was not performed. FAA records showed that the pilot had met the applicable BasicMed requirements for the flight.

## Factual narrative

On October 18, 2024, at 1826 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150L airplane, N11519, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Gainesville, Georgia. The pilot became incapacitated while in flight and later died. The passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Flight track data provided by the FAA indicated that the airplane departed Gwinnett County Airport (LZU), Lawrenceville, Georgia, at 1802 and proceeded toward Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport (GVL), Gainesville, Georgia. Shortly after the pilot announced his intention to land at GVL on the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF), the passenger reported that the pilot became unresponsive. Witnesses reported that she transmitted “emergency, emergency” on the CTAF. Although other pilots responded and offered assistance, she made no additional transmissions. The passenger took control of the airplane, and made three unsuccessful landing attempts before landing on the fourth attempt at 1826 (see figure). The passenger, who had no previous flight experience, stated that she could see the airport when she took control of the airplane. The final flight track data point showed the airplane about 250 ft southwest of the runway 05 threshold on a northeasterly track at a ground speed of 108 knots. Figure: FAA flight track data showing the passenger’s landing attempts at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport (North is up). Airport CCTV footage showed that the airplane landed on its nose landing gear, which collapsed, and the nose of the airplane impacted and slid along the runway. The pilot and passenger were subsequently met by witnesses who extinguished a small fire near the forward portion of the airplane. First responders later arrived and transported the pilot to a local hospital, where he died two days later. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the lower forward fuselage. The pilot’s FAA medical certification file documented a medical history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, all treated with medication. The pilot also had coronary artery disease and experienced a heart attack in 2009 that required quadruple coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery for severe multivessel disease. His medical history also included ischemic cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation treated with medication for heart rate control and stroke risk reduction. The pilot completed a BasicMed course on March 22, 2022, and a BasicMed comprehensive medical examination checklist (CMEC) on March 24, 2022. The pilot subsequently completed another BasicMed course on March 4, 2024, and reported completing a BasicMed CMEC on March 3, 2024. The investigation found no evidence that the pilot completed the reported 2024 CMEC other than his self-report. The 2022 CMEC remained within its 48-month validity period as of the accident date. When EMS first arrived, the pilotwas in cardiac arrest. EMS initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and transported the pilot to a local hospital. After arriving at the hospital, the pilot regained a pulse but remained critically ill following his cardiac arrest. The pilot died at the hospital two days after the accident. Hospital records characterized the pilot’s in-flight incapacitation event as a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. An autopsy was not performed. Toxicological testing by the FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory of the pilot’s hospital admission specimens detected metformin, carvedilol, and atorvastatin in blood. These medications are not typically impairing and were consistent with the pilot’s medications documented in the reviewed records. A hospital drug screen of a urine specimen collected on October 20, 2024, detected one drug class that could be attributed to medication administered to the pilot during his postaccident medical care.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11519](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11519), registered now, S/N 15075481, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (L)
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075481
- Year built: 1973
- Airframe hours: 7316.6
- Engines: Teledyne Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kap Title Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 2023
- Departed: LZU, Lawrenceville, GA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: GVL, Lee Gilmer Meml, runway 05, 5,496 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 81; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review April 6, 2024; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.44 inHg
- Observed at: GVL
- METAR: KGVL 182153Z AUTO 07008KT 10SM CLR 19/03 A3044 RMK AO2 SLP303 T01890028

## 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 20241018020999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241018020999A), Oct 18, 2024: Cessna 150L, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Pilot experience medical emergency rendering him unconscious. Non pilot passenger landed aircraft. Nose gear collapsed upon landing.

## Docket (11 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 10, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195345. 83.7 MB in all.

- NTSB interview memorandum - passenger statement (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19917809&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA019%20Passenger%20Statement-Rel.pdf
- Airport surveillance video of accident (item 2, MOV, 984 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19918661&FileExtension=mov&FileName=Mid%20Hangar%20Video-Rel.mov
- Police report excerpts - witness statements (item 3, PDF, 12 pages, 18.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19926083&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Police%20Reports%20-%20WItness%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot logbook excerpts (item 4, PDF, 12 pages, 11 photos, 35.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19922494&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA019%20Pilot%20Logook%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Airplane owner handbook excerpt (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 970 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20473435&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Cessna%20150L%20Owner%20Handbook%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum of record - pilot experience (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20465322&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA019%20Pilot%20Experience-Rel.pdf
- N11519 maintenance logbook excerpts (item 7, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 8.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20465055&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA019%20Maintenance%20Logook%20Excerpts_Rev4_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum of record - ADS-B flight track (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 352 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20844415&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20ADS-B%20Data%20Summary_rev1-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photos (item 9, PDF, 5 pages, 4 photos, 18.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19923486&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA019%20Investigation%20Photos_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Toxicological report (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 152 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20458295&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Toxicology%20Report_Final_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Medical factual report (item 11, PDF, 9 pages, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20459392&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA019_MedicalFactualReport-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.

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