# NTSB NYC95LA022: Cessna 150L, N5483Q, Dawson Springs, KY, November 9, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 8, 1994, 19:00 local (Nov 9, 1994, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Dawson Springs, KY - Coordinates: 37.16949, -87.679328 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1695&lon=-87.6793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38896 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38896/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA022 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance. Other related factors are night conditions and the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - vehicle - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis THE PILOT, DURING AN NIGHT FLIGHT, WAS UNSUCCESFUL AT LOCATING THE DESTINATION, TRADEWATER AIRPORT (8M7) SO HE DEVIATED TO AND LANDED AT PRINCETON-CALDWELL COUNTY AIRPORT. THERE HE BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT HIS AIRPLANE BEING UNSECURED AT AN UNATTENDED AIRPORT AND THE THREAT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER FORECASTED TO OCCUR OVERNIGHT. HE ARRANGED FOR A FRIEND TO USE THE HEADLIGHTS OF A CAR TO ILLUMINATE THE GRASS STRIP AT 8M7, SO THE PILOT COULD RETURN AND LAND. THE PILOT FLEW BACK, CIRCLED THE AIRPORT, SPOTTED THE HEADLIGHTS, AND BEGAN THE APPROACH. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, 'JUST PRIOR TO CROSSING THE THRESHOLD MARKERS, I SAW THE ROOF OF THE AUTOMOBILE IN THE BEAM OF MY LANDING LIGHT, AND FELT CONTACT AND SENSED THE AIRPLANE TUMBLING AND A SECOND CONTACT WHEN THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN.' ACCORDING TO THE FAA, THE MAIN WHEEL STRUCK THE BACK WINDOW OF THE CAR. THE PILOT SAID THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD NOT BEEN SO ANXIOUS TO FLY THE AIRPLANE TO 8M7 WHERE IT WOULD BE HANGARED. ## Factual narrative On Tuesday, November 8, 1994, at 1900 central standard time, a Cessna 150L, N5483Q, piloted by and registered to William L. Lipford, was destroyed during a landing at the Tradewater Airport, Dawson Springs, Kentucky. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was landing on runway 18, which does not have runway lights. Automobile lights were being used to illuminate the runway for the pilot. In his report, the pilot stated: Just prior to crossing the threshold marker I saw the roof of the automobile in the beam of my landing light and felt contact and sensed the airplane tumbling...the airplane came to rest up side down. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5483Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5483Q-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 15073383, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L - 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: 150-73383 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William L. Lipford - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 2MO, PRINCETON, KY - Destination: 8M7 - Airport: 8M7, Tradewater, runway 18, 2,875 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,615 total, 560 in this make and model, 10,435 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 19941108037879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941108037879A), Nov 8, 1994: Cessna 150L, Dawson Springs, KY, Substantial damage. Night landing using auto lights to locate unlighted runway. Struck auto during touchdown. Blamed wind gust. 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.