On Feb. 27, 2023, a Cessna 150G was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hillsville, Virginia. The instrument-rated pilot was fatally injured.
A friend reported that the pilot flew from Twin County Airport (KHLX) in Hillsville, Virginia, to Burlington/Alamance Regional Airport (KBUY) in Burlington, North Carolina, to pick up parts for an engine he was working on.
A witness reported speaking to the owner of the maintenance shop, where the pilot was going to pick up the engine parts, who confirmed that the pilot arrived to pick up the parts and then departed.
According to a GPS device that was downloaded at the National Transportation Safety Board Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, the airplane departed KBUY at 1612. The pilot flew a nearly direct northwestern route towards KHLX.
About 15 miles from the destination, at 1653, the airplane began flying over mountainous terrain. Then, the plane entered a descending left turn for 1-1/2 revolutions (540°) until the flight track straightened and reversed course on a southeasterly heading.
Examination of the GPS altitude data revealed that the plane descended from about 3,250 feet to 3,000 feet, about 200 feet AGL, during the final minute of flight.
The final GPS data point was about 650 feet from where the main wreckage was located.
An alert notice (ALNOT) was issued by the FAA at 1914 after family and friends reported the airplane missing.
The airplane was located by a private citizen about 1030 the following day.
The airplane came to rest in a wooded area at an elevation of 2,776 feet above mean sea level. The airplane hit a tree about 205 feet before the wreckage came to rest. There was no evidence of fire, and all major components of the airplane were located in the vicinity of the main wreckage.
A review of preflight weather briefing information revealed that the pilot did not obtain preflight information from Leidos Flight Services or ForeFlight.
Graphical-Airmen’s Meteorological Information (G-AIRMET) advisories were valid for the accident location below FL180 at both 1600 and 1900 for moderate icing between the surface and FL210, moderate turbulence from the surface to FL180, low-level wind shear, instrument flight rule (IFR) conditions, and mountain obscuration.
Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) forecast imagery depicted broken and overcast sky conditions in the immediate accident region with a point to the southwest of the accident site valid at 1600 identifying overcast clouds at 2,600 feet with tops to 11,000 feet. The GFA surface forecasts valid at 1600 and 1900 depicted southerly to southwesterly gusting surface winds of 15-25 knots near the accident location with rain showers across the region.
A High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model sounding for near the accident site at 1700 using an elevation of 2,745 feet indicated clouds were identified between about 3,000 and 16,500 feet.
At 1655, the KHLX automated weather observation station reported wind from 180° at 6 knots and variable between 160° and 220°, visibility 1-3/4 statute miles, mist, ceiling overcast at 200 feet AGL, temperature of 9°C and dew point temperature of 9°C, altimeter setting of 29.57 inches of mercury.
A review of the pilot’s flight log revealed that he only documented flight reviews in his logbook. His most recent flight review was completed on March 20, 2022. As of the most recent medical exam, on June 20, 2022, the pilot reported 10,000 flight hours, of which 150 hours were in the six months before the examination.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into terrain.
NTSB Identification: 106797
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This February 2023 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
