# NTSB NYC83LA200: Cessna 150M, N707CF, St. Clair, PA, August 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1983, 20:45 local (Aug 7, 1983, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: St. Clair, PA
- Coordinates: 40.719558, -76.190658 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7196&lon=-76.1907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35245
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35245/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA200

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED REDUCED VISIBILITY WITH FOG & HAZE. HE TRIED TO LOCATE AN ARPT BY FLYING TIME & DISTANCE OFF OF A VOR STATION. HE CIRCLED IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE HE THOUGHT THE ARPT WAS AT, THEN ELECTED TO LAND BEFORE NIGHTFALL. WHILE MAKING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE ACFT HIT A TRENCH & NOSED OVER. THE TRENCH WAS OBSCURED BY VEGETATION & APPROACHING DARKNESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N707CF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N707CF-2016-07-11), registration cancelled 2016-07-11, S/N 15078739, built 1976 (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: 15078739
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James D. Fraley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FINDLEY, IN
- Destination: LATROBE, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 47 total, 30 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830806057339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830806057339A), Aug 6, 1983: Cessna 150M, Upper St Clair, PA, Substantial damage. Getting dark, student elected to land at near airport. Unable to find airport. Landed in a field and nosed over.

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.