# NTSB NYC82FA176: Cessna 150L, N17135, West Brattlebor, VT, August 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1982, 21:00 local (Aug 1, 1982, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: West Brattlebor, VT
- Location: 42.8565° N, 72.6004° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Brattleboro, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8565&lon=-72.6004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72997
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72997/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FA176

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT 2036 THE PLT CONTACTED BRADLEY APPROACH CONTROL (A/C) ON FREQ 121.5 & STATED HE WAS LOST, AT AN ALTITUDE OF 4,000 FT & IN "ALMOST IFR WEATHER." SINCE THE ACFT WAS NOT TRANSPONDER EQUIPPED A/C HAD THE PLT USE VOR ORIENTATION PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE HIS POSITION. AT 2040 THE PLT STATED HE WAS SOLID IFR. THE PLT WAS GIVEN HEADINGS TO A VOR WHERE VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED. AT 2059 THE PLT DECLINED AN A/C SUGGESTION TO CLIMB UP ON TOP OF THE OVERCAST. THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 54 MG%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17135](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17135-1983-07-22), registration cancelled 1983-07-22, S/N 15073634 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15073634
- Airframe hours: 5826
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J. Kenneth Forester
- Registered owner: J. Kenneth Forester
- Departed: C, TETERBORO, NJ
- Destination: C, LEBANON, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 100 total, 53 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Dusk

## 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 19820731038649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820731038649A), Jul 31, 1982: Cessna 150L, West Brattlebor, VT, Destroyed. VFR pilot reported lost on instruments lost control during rescue vectors. Thunderstorms, heavy rain in area.

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.

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