- Date
- August 9, 1999, 08:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place
- Greeneville, TN
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N3187XCessna 150G
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 22, 2000
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19990809011199A
- Case key
- 47034
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to remain clear of clouds while operating under visual flight rules resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees on rising terrain as he flew in the clouds.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot departed on a special visual flight rules clearance while on a visual flight rules flight. After departure the flight encountered and entered clouds. While flying in the clouds in an attempt to return to the departure airport, the aircraft collided with trees on rising terrain.
Factual narrative
On August 9, 1999, about 0850 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150G, N3187X, registered to Advanced Flight Training, Inc., collided with terrain near Greeneville, Tennessee, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Blountville, Tennessee, the same day, about 0815.
The pilot stated that while en route from Blountville, to Collegedale, Tennessee, at 3,000 feet, he encountered weather and decided to return to Blountville. As he made a left turn back towards Blountville, he entered a cloud. He became disoriented and lost control of the aircraft. He began flying the aircraft by reference to the flight instruments and regained control. He climbed to 3,500 feet and made a left turn back toward Blountville, where he believed the weather was better. While in cruise flight, in the clouds, flying to the north, he encountered rising terrain and the aircraft collided with trees. The aircraft crashed through the trees and came to rest inverted. He exited the aircraft and called for assistance on a portable telephone. He reported he had no mechanical difficulties with the aircraft.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3187X
- Reported as
- Cessna 150G
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15064587
- Airframe hours
- 4,300
- Engine
- Continental O-200-A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Advanced Flight Training, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · February 11, 1999 · 86 hours before
- Departed
- TRI · Blountville, TN
- Destination
- 3M3 · Collegedale, TN
- Flight plan
- VFR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 33
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 66 total · 17 in this make and model · 30 as pilot in command · 30 in the last 90 days · 11 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Instrument (IMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 2.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 3,700 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 72 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- TRI, 15 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.
Other investigations on N3187X · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.