Cessna 150G N2991J

Summary

On 27 February 2023 at about 21:56 local time, a Cessna 150G registered N2991J was involved in an accident near Hillsville, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 February 2023 at 21:56

Classification

Accident

Location

Hillsville, Virginia, United States

Coordinates

36.6562, -80.5426

Aircraft

Cessna 150G

Registration

N2991J

Category

Airplane

Year built

1966

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Burlington → Hillsville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA23FA131

1 person died.

The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The instrument-rated pilot was conducting a personal, cross-country, visual flight rules flight and did not receive a formal weather briefing before departing. Flight track data showed that, after departure, the airplane proceeded direct to the destination airport for about 40 minutes. Then, after entering mountainous terrain, the airplane completed a descending 540° left turn and reversed course while continuing to descend at a rate of 250 ft per minute. The airplane impacted trees and terrain and came to rest in a wooded area. The reported weather conditions in the area around the time of the accident included less than 2 miles visibility and clouds about 255 ft above ground level (agl). Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the cut branches located in the vicinity of the accident site, and the damage signatures observed on the propeller, the engine was likely producing power at the time of impact. While en route, the pilot likely encountered deteriorating weather conditions that obscured the mountainous terrain and as the pilot attempted to turn around and exit the deteriorating weather conditions the airplane gradually descended and struck trees and the terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.