# NTSB NYC04LA011: Cessna 150M, N3807V, Wax, KY, October 16, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 16, 2003, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Wax, KY - Coordinates: 37.333057, -86.123054 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3331&lon=-86.1231&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 58184 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58184/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA011 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Low altitude flight is a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - low altitude flight/maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger departed on a local flight and when the airplane did not return to the departure airport, it was reported as missing. The airplane was located in a lake, submerged in 21 feet of water. A power line which extended about 870 feet, was approximately 80 to 85 feet above the lake in the vicinity of the accident site. A power interruption was reported on the power line about 1 hour after the airplane departed, and subsequent examination of the power line revealed it was damaged. A witness who lived near the accident site stated he observed an airplane about the time of the accident, "buzzing the lake and flying really low." Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine. Vertical cuts with diagonal marks consistent with a wire strike, were observed on the leading edges of the left and right wings. Weather reported at an airport about 30 miles south-southwest of the accident site, about the time of the accident, included a visibility of 10 miles and clear skies. ## Factual narrative On October 16, 2003, about 1755 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N3807V, was substantially damaged when it struck wires and impacted a lake, while maneuvering in Wax, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight that departed the Vine Grove Airport (70KY), Vine Grove, Kentucky, about 1700. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was based at 70KY. According to the owner of the airplane, the pilot arrived at the airport about 1615 and was informed that another pilot had reserved the airplane at 1630. The pilot elected to wait around, and when the previously scheduled flight was cancelled, he refueled the airplane and departed about 1700. The airplane was reported as missing after it did not return to Vine Grove, on the evening of October 16. The airplane was located about 30 miles south-southwest of 70KY, in Nolin Lake, on October 18, 2003, submerged in 21 feet of water. A power line which extended about 870 feet, was approximately 80 to 85 feet above the lake in the vicinity of the accident site. According to a power company representative, a power interruption was reported at 1755, on October 16, and subsequent examination of the power line revealed it was damaged. The power line was unmarked. It consisted of a neutral conductor, which was found broken, and a 7,200 volt "#452 alumoweld single phase tap line," which had separated from it's cross arm as it crossed the lake. During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, a witness who lived near the accident site stated he observed an airplane about the time of the accident, "buzzing the lake and flying really low." The airplane was recovered on October 20, 2003, and examined at the Vine Grove Airport. The examination did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to all primary control surfaces. Vertical cuts with diagonal marks consistent with a wire strike, were observed on the leading edges of the left and right wings. The airplane had been operated for about 82 hours since it's most recent annual inspection, which was performed on March 1, 2003. The pilot reported 180 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for an FAA third class medical certificate, which was issued on April 7, 2003. Weather reported at an airport about 30 miles south-southwest of the accident site, at 1753, included a visibility of 10 miles and clear skies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3807V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3807V-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 15076628, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150M - 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: 15076628 - Airframe hours: 4346 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Randy Morris - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2003, 92 hours before - Departed: 70KY, Vine Grive, KY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 180 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: BWG, 30 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 20031016025899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031016025899A), Oct 16, 2003: Cessna 150M, Wax, KY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (-23) On Thursday, October 16, 2003, at about 7 p.m. eastern daylight time, a rented Cessna 150-M, #N3807V, serial #15076628 was destroyed after contacting a… 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.