Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC92LA120

HURON, OH, USA

Aircraft #1

N8215S

CESSNA 150F

Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE ON A LOCAL AREA NIGHT FLIGHT FOR ABOUT 2 HRS WHEN THE PILOT BECAME DISORIENTED. WHILE CIRCLING AT A LOW ALTITUDE THE ENGINE LOST POWER. A GROUND WITNESS STATED '... THE PLANE WENT INTO A COMPLETE SPIN WHILE FALLING STRAIGHT DOWN LIKE A ROCK ...' EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED VERY LITTLE FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK AND NO FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK. WHEN THE POLICE AND EMS PERSONNEL ARRIVED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE THEY SMELLED ALCOHOL ON BOTH THE PILOT AND PASSENGER. THE PILOT ADMITTED THAT HE HAD 8 BEERS. THE RESULTS OF A BLOOD ALCOHOL TEST ON THE PILOT WAS 0.178%.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE STUDENT PILOT'S ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT WHICH LED TO HIS GEOGRAPHICAL DISORIENTATION AND EVENTUAL FUEL EXHAUSTION AND TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING THE FORCED LANDING RESULTING IN A STALL/SPIN. A FACTOR WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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