# NTSB NYC01LA091: Cessna 150, N5433Q, Wintergreen, VA, March 31, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 2001, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Wintergreen, VA - Coordinates: 37.80017, -79.010002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8002&lon=-79.0100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51989 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51989/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA091 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to continue the flight into deteriorating weather. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - high terrain - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - low ceiling ## Analysis The pilot obtained three weather briefings. During the last briefing, which was conducted about 0845, he was advised of marginal visual flight rule conditions developing about 1900, along his return route of flight. The pilot then departed and flew to SHD without incident. About 1520 the pilot, without getting an updated weather briefing, loaded his passenger and departing for the trip home. About 8 to 10 minutes prior to the accident, the pilot started to encounter deteriorating weather. He had visual contact with the ground, but reduced visibility forward. About 3 minutes before the accident, the pilot made a turn to the west to maintain visual meteorological conditions (VMC). During the turn, the pilot lost all outside visual reference. He leveled the wings and started a climb. The airplane re entered VMC shortly afterwards, but was not in a position to avoid the approaching terrain. The airplane then impacted an unoccupied house and came to a stop. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 2001, about 1600 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 150, N5433Q, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Wintergreen, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD), Staunton, Virginia, destined for Bladenboro Airport (3W6,) Bladenboro, North Carolina. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he called Raleigh Automated Flight Service Station three times to check the weather before departing for SHD. During the last briefing, which was conducted about 0845, the pilot was advised of marginal visual flight rule conditions developing about 1900, along his planned return route of flight. The pilot then completed the flight to SHD without incident. The airplane was serviced with a full load of fuel, and the pilot went to conduct some personal business in the local area. The pilot completed his business, and returned to the airport about 1520. He preflighted the airplane, but did not get an updated weather briefing. The pilot and passenger boarded the airplane. The engine started on the first attempt, and the pilot taxied short of Runway 5 to complete the run-up checks. During the checks no anomalies were noted and the airplane departed. After passing 1,800 feet msl, the pilot made a right turn to 180 degrees, and continued his climb to about 3,800 feet msl. When the airplane was approximately 18 miles south of SHD, and about 8 to 10 minutes before the accident, the pilot started to encounter deteriorating weather. At first, the pilot had visual contact with the ground, but reduced visibility forward due to fog. About 3 minutes before the accident, the pilot made a turn to the west towards a highway to maintain visual meteorological conditions (VMC). During the turn, the pilot lost all outside visual reference. He leveled the wings and started a climb in hopes of climbing to VMC. During the climb, he identified some trees to the front of the airplane. The pilot applied full throttle, and pitched the nose of the airplane up to avoid the trees. Once again, he lost all outside visual reference. When indicated airspeed reached approximately 45 knots, the stall horn sounded and the pilot lowered the nose. The airplane accelerated to 65 knots, and continued to climb. The airplane then entered VMC, but was not in a position to avoid the approaching terrain. The pilot closed the throttle, and applied right rudder to shield his passenger from the majority of the impact. The airplane impacted an unoccupied house and came to a stop. The pilot and passenger then exited the airplane under their own power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5433Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5433Q-2002-01-08), registration cancelled 2002-01-08, S/N 15073333, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - 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: 15073333 - Airframe hours: 4508.9 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eddie R. Rouse - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 2000, 67.3 hours before - Departed: SHD, STAUNTON/WAYNES, VA - Destination: 3W6, BLADENBORO, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 9, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total, 130 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: FVX, 45 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 20010331007329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010331007329A), Mar 31, 2001: Cessna 150L, Witnergreen, VA, Substantial damage. (-23)After departing shd, the pilot flew into clouds and fog and became disoriented while attempting to remain in VFR conditions. The pilot crashed into the… ## Other investigations on N5433Q (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 LAX77FUJ11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUJ11), Dec 8, 1976: Cessna 150 (N5433Q), Mesa, AZ, 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.