Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 150 near Houston, TX — 2023-07-23

Final reportCEN23FA315
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Date
2023-07-23
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Airport
IWS
Aircraft
CESSNA 150
Registration
N17043
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The student pilot’s loss of airplane control in dark night conditions.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot departed in dark night visual meteorological conditions to complete takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. Surveillance video footage indicated that about two minutes after takeoff, while on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern, the airplane entered a rapid descent and collided with powerlines. There was no radar information or ADS-B flight track data associated with the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The firewall fuel strainer contained a significant amount of debris consistent with aluminum wear particles from the fuel system as well as dirt/soil present in the fuel system. About 0.6 gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing fuel tank; the left wing fuel tank was empty. There was evidence of fuel spillage at the accident site. The engine’s original oil screen had not been removed when a spin-on oil filter adapter modification was installed, and the oil screen and housing contained a significant amount of carbon deposits and oil sludge; however, there was no metallic debris or contaminants in the oil filter. The propeller blades exhibited leading edge damage, chordwise scratches, and polishing, consistent with the engine operating at the time of impact. It is likely that the debris in the fuel system and oil system were the result of inadequate maintenance and did not contribute to the accident. The pilot obtained a student pilot certificate about 14 years before the accident, at which time he reported 120 total hours of flight experience; however, no pilot logbook was available for review, and the pilot’s total experience, night experience, and recency of experience at the time of the accident could not be determined. The pilot’s headlamp was found in the cockpit area. The headlamp was found on and set to the brightest white setting. The headlamp did not have a red lens or setting for night operations. It is possible that the pilot was using the light during the flight, which could have impaired his night vision. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering in dark night visual meteorological conditions. The airplane’s rapid descent to ground contact from a relatively level attitude could be consistent with a visual illusion or spatial disorientation; however, given the lack of flight track information, the circumstances of the loss of control could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen not to fly at night without proper night vision adaptation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 15 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents15

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