# NTSB GAA18CA095: Cessna 150, N3229V, Nampa, ID, January 2, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 1, 2018, 19:30 local (Jan 2, 2018, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Nampa, ID - Coordinates: 43.611946, -116.504722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6119&lon=-116.5047&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96556 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96556/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96556 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA095 ## Probable cause The pilot’s geographic disoriention during a night flight, which resulted in an off-airport landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Perception/orientation/illusion: geographic disorient (lost)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022030): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022030/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022030/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after departure in dark night conditions, he became disoriented about two-thirds of the way to his destination airport. He added that he circled over a nearby town for about an hour but was unable to find any visual references to aid in navigation. The pilot then called a family member on the ground, who provided guidance to the destination airport via a phone tracking application. He added that he spotted what appeared to be the destination airport, maneuvered for approach, and during the landing flare, he realized he was not at the airport. The pilot landed on a roadway that was about 6 miles from his intended destination. During landing, the airplane struck trees, landed on a road, veered left, and impacted a light pole. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, after departure in dark night conditions, he became disoriented about two-thirds of the way to his destination airport. He added that he circled over a nearby town for about an hour, but was unable to find any visual references to aid in navigation. The pilot then called a family member on the ground, who provided guidance to the destination airport via a phone tracking application. He added that he spotted what appeared to be the destination airport, maneuvered for approach, and in the landing flare realized he was not at the airport. The pilot landed on a roadway that was about 6 miles from his intended destination. During landing the airplane struck trees, landed on a road, veered left, and impacted a light pole. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3229V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3229V-2018-04-16), registration cancelled 2018-04-16, S/N 15076429, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 (M) - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15076429 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 7430 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2017 - Departed: BYI, BURLEY, ID - Destination: EUL, CALDWELL, ID - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 26, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 73.3 total, 12 in this make and model, 33.5 as pilot in command, 3.4 in the last 90 days, 2.7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.45 inHg - Observed at: KMAN, 2 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 20180101000379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180101000379A), Jan 1, 2018: Cessna 150M, Nampa, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot departed the byi airport approximately 20 minutes behind schedule. In the vicinity of the U76 airport the pilot became disoriented. The pilot then called… ## Other investigations on N3229V (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX77FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FA044), May 22, 1977: Cessna 150M (N3229V), Van Nuys, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96556. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459660&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of Local Law Enforcement) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Local%20Law%20Enforcement)-Master.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.