Cessna 150M N63439

Summary

On 21 October 2004 at about 00:10 local time, a Cessna 150M registered N63439 was involved in an accident near Ashley, North Dakota, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 October 2004 at 00:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Ashley, North Dakota, United States

Coordinates

46.0239, -99.3525

Aircraft

Cessna 150M

Registration

N63439

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bemidji → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

CHI05LA012

1 person died.

The non-instrument rated pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions and his not maintaining aircraft control during cruise flight. Factors present were the night condition and low ceilings.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was destroyed on impact with terrain and a post impact fire occurred. Night marginal visual meteorological conditions to instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the accident. A lineman at the departure airport stated, "The pilot said he was looking forward to a pheasant hunt in North Dakota. ... He asked to have his plane, N63439, topped off with 100LL. He also purchased 2 quarts of 15/50 oil and a Twin Cities sectional. While waiting for the fuel the pilot sat at the DTN weather computer. When the pilot came back to the counter he expressed concern with the weather, 'It's a little down between here and there.'" The sheriff was a first responder and observed a small fire burning in the wreckage. The sheriff's report stated, "When I approached the area of the wreckage I observed several pieces of metal that were twisted and broken. There was a burn area of approximately 60-80 feet in diameter. Scattered all throughout the crash site were 12 gauge shot shells. I observed a small section of tail that confirmed that this was, in fact an airplane that appeared to have been blue and white in color. The main section of wreckage was on the east edge of the debris field. The wreckage was such that it was impossible to find an identification number or "N" number." Photographs reveal that the fuselage was consumed by fire. Both wing's leading edges were crushed rearward. The engine and propeller were impacted in terrain. The airplane's data plate was found. The pilot was not instrument rated.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.