# NTSB MIA99LA218: Cessna 150G, N3187X, Greeneville, TN, August 9, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 1999, 08:50 local (12:50 UTC) - Place: Greeneville, TN - Coordinates: 36.070835, -82.8609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0708&lon=-82.8609&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47034/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA218 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - weather condition - clouds - weather condition - low ceiling - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - terrain condition - rising - object - tree(s) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3187X-2000-05-11), registration cancelled 2000-05-11, S/N 15064587 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150G - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15064587 - Airframe hours: 4300 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990809011199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990809011199A), Aug 9, 1999: Cessna 150G, Greenville, TN, Substantial damage. Acft departed tri on special VFR clearance, VFR clearance terminated 17 south of tri, pilot called tri fixed base operator advising he had crashed. (.19) on… ## Other investigations on N3187X (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 NYC67D0181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67D0181), Aug 20, 1966: Cessna 150 (N3187X), Ambler, PA, substantial damage 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.