Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL91LA088

KURE BEACH, NC, USA

Aircraft #1

N50738

CESSNA 150J

Analysis

THE 24 YEAR OLD PILOT FLEW THE AIRCRAFT AT LOW ALTITUDE OVER THE SURFACE OF THE OCEAN. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT ITS LANDING GEAR HIT A WAVE, THEN THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE PILOT WAS RESCUED, BUT THE PASSENGER DROWNED. TOXICOLOGY TESTING OF THE PILOT AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.165%. THE PILOT HAD FLOWN THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT THE OWNER'S CONSENT. THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE OCEAN.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT, WHILE IMPAIRED BY ALCOHOL, AND HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE THE WATER AFTER INITIATING A LOW PASS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports