View Full Version : C-152 Breaks Up In Air
Mortimer Schnerd, RN[_2_]
September 6th 06, 11:25 AM
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/15438549.htm
Two folks flew into instrument conditions and tried to fly back out without 
success.  Aircraft parts are scattered over a one mile radius.
Very unfortunate.
-- 
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com
Larry Dighera
September 6th 06, 02:03 PM
On Wed, 6 Sep 2006 05:25:21 -0400, "Mortimer Schnerd, RN"
<mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com> wrote in
>:
>http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/15438549.htm
>
>Two folks flew into instrument conditions and tried to fly back out without 
>success.  Aircraft parts are scattered over a one mile radius.
>
>Very unfortunate.
Would that be this one?
http://www.faa.gov/data_statistics/accident_incident/preliminary_data/events01/media/06_2932J.txt
************************************************** ******************************
**   Report created 9/5/2006   Record 6 **
************************************************** ******************************
IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 2932J        Make/Model: C150      Description: 150, A150,
Commuter, Aerobat
  Date: 09/04/2006     Time: 1530
  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: Fatal     Mid Air: N Missing:
N
  Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
  City: LYNCHBURG   State: VA   Country: US
DESCRIPTION
  ACFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE TWO PERSONS ON BOARD
WERE 
  FATALLY INJURED, 23 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LYNCHBURG, NEAR PENHOOK, VA
INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   2
                 # Crew:   2     Fat:   2     Ser:   0     Min:   0
Unk:    
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0
Unk:    
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0
Unk:    
WEATHER: KLYH 041544Z 00000KT 6SM -RA FEW013 BKN030 OVC049 16/15 
OTHER DATA
  Departed: MONETA, VA                  Dep Date:    Dep. Time:      
  Destination: FLORENCE, SC             Flt Plan:              Wx
Briefing:  
  Last Radio Cont:  
  Last Clearance:  
  FAA FSDO: RICHMOND, VA  (EA21)                  Entry date:
09/05/2006 
------------------------------------------------------------------
The time doesn't seem to match the news story:
    The two-seat Cessna 150G went down around 11:30 a.m., said Sgt.
    Robert Carpentieri. The victims were identified as Ira Nash, 34,
    and Erika Nash, 28, of Fork, S.C., Carpentieri said. They had been
    at a family reunion at Smith Mountain Lake and were en route to
    Florence, S.C., when they ran into heavy fog and attempted to turn
    around.
  
The 1966 Cessna 150 was apparently owned by Mr. Nash.  If I understand
Mr. Nash's entry in the FAA Airmans Database correctly, it appears he
was issued his airmans certificate: 06/17/2006.
Pictures here: 
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/81311
Tragic indeed.
Peter R.
September 6th 06, 02:57 PM
Larry Dighera > wrote:
> Would that be this one?
That appears to be it.  A query of the aircraft registration database shows
that registration number belonging to a person with the deceased's name.
Additionally, FlightAware.com does not have any history of an IFR flight
plan under that tail ID.
VFR into IMC?   
Damn.
-- 
Peter
Larry Dighera
September 6th 06, 03:30 PM
On Wed, 6 Sep 2006 08:57:57 -0400, "Peter R." >
wrote in >:
>Larry Dighera > wrote:
>
>> Would that be this one?
>
>That appears to be it.  A query of the aircraft registration database shows
>that registration number belonging to a person with the deceased's name.
>
>Additionally, FlightAware.com does not have any history of an IFR flight
>plan under that tail ID.
>
>VFR into IMC?   
>
>Damn.
It would appear the private pilot just received his certificate two
months prior, and was not instrument rated.  
WEATHER: KLYH 041544Z 00000KT 6SM -RA FEW013 BKN030 OVC049 16/15 
    http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/81311
    They flew out in poor conditions: heavy rain, cloud cover and fog,
    Borgess said.
From the observed weather sequence it appears they departed just as
the weather worsened: 
http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/metars/index.php?submit=1&station_ids=KLYH&chk_metars=on&hoursStr=48&chk_tafs=on&std_trans=translated
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    METAR text:  KLYH 041554Z 00000KT 4SM RA BR SCT022 BKN030 OVC050
16/15 A3019 RMK AO2 SLP215 P0012 T01610150 $  
    Conditions at:  KLYH (LYNCHBURG, VA, US) observed 1554 UTC 04
September 2006  
    Temperature:  16.1°C (61°F)  
    Dewpoint:  15.0°C (59°F) [RH = 93%]  
    Pressure (altimeter):  30.19 inches Hg (1022.4 mb)
    [Sea-level pressure: 1021.5 mb]  
    Winds:  calm  
    Visibility:  4 miles (6 km)  
    Ceiling:  3000 feet AGL  
    Clouds:  scattered clouds at 2200 feet AGL
    broken clouds at 3000 feet AGL
    overcast cloud deck at 5000 feet AGL  
    Weather:  RA BR  (rain, mist)
    SOME DATA ABOVE MAY BE INACCURATE!!!
    "$" is an indication the sensor requires maintenance  
    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    METAR text:  KLYH 041544Z 00000KT 6SM -RA BR FEW013 BKN030 OVC049
16/15 A3019 RMK AO2 P0011 $  
    Conditions at:  KLYH (LYNCHBURG, VA, US) observed 1544 UTC 04
September 2006  
    Temperature:  16.0°C (61°F)  
    Dewpoint:  15.0°C (59°F) [RH = 94%]  
    Pressure (altimeter):  30.19 inches Hg (1022.4 mb)  
    Winds:  calm  
    Visibility:  6 miles (10 km)  
    Ceiling:  3000 feet AGL  
    Clouds:  few clouds at 1300 feet AGL
    broken clouds at 3000 feet AGL
    overcast cloud deck at 4900 feet AGL  
    Weather:  -RA BR  (light rain, mist)
    SOME DATA ABOVE MAY BE INACCURATE!!!
    "$" is an indication the sensor requires maintenance  
    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    METAR text:  KLYH 041526Z VRB03KT 2SM +RA BR FEW011 OVC026 16/15
A3019 RMK AO2 P0010 $  
    Conditions at:  KLYH (LYNCHBURG, VA, US) observed 1526 UTC 04
September 2006  
    Temperature:  16.0°C (61°F)  
    Dewpoint:  15.0°C (59°F) [RH = 94%]  
    Pressure (altimeter):  30.19 inches Hg (1022.4 mb)  
    Winds:  variable direction winds at 3 MPH (3 knots; 1.6 m/s)  
    Visibility:  2.00 miles (3.22 km)  
    Ceiling:  2600 feet AGL  
    Clouds:  few clouds at 1100 feet AGL
    overcast cloud deck at 2600 feet AGL  
    Weather:  +RA BR  (heavy rain, mist)
    SOME DATA ABOVE MAY BE INACCURATE!!!
    "$" is an indication the sensor requires maintenance  
    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    METAR text:  KLYH 041454Z VRB03KT 6SM -RA BR BKN017 BKN032 OVC060
17/14 A3019 RMK AO2 RAB1357 SLP215 P0014 60014 T01670144 51012 $  
    Conditions at:  KLYH (LYNCHBURG, VA, US) observed 1454 UTC 04
September 2006  
    Temperature:  16.7°C (62°F)  
    Dewpoint:  14.4°C (58°F) [RH = 86%]  
    Pressure (altimeter):  30.19 inches Hg (1022.4 mb)
    [Sea-level pressure: 1021.5 mb]  
    Winds:  variable direction winds at 3 MPH (3 knots; 1.6 m/s)  
    Visibility:  6 miles (10 km)  
    Ceiling:  1700 feet AGL  
    Clouds:  broken clouds at 1700 feet AGL
    broken clouds at 3200 feet AGL
    overcast cloud deck at 6000 feet AGL  
    Weather:  -RA BR  (light rain, mist)
    SOME DATA ABOVE MAY BE INACCURATE!!!
    "$" is an indication the sensor requires maintenance  
    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    METAR text:  KLYH 041441Z 00000KT 4SM -RA BR BKN015 OVC025 17/14
A3018 RMK AO2 RAB1357 P0013 $  
    Conditions at:  KLYH (LYNCHBURG, VA, US) observed 1441 UTC 04
September 2006  
    Temperature:  17.0°C (63°F)  
    Dewpoint:  14.0°C (57°F) [RH = 82%]  
    Pressure (altimeter):  30.18 inches Hg (1022.1 mb)  
    Winds:  calm  
    Visibility:  4 miles (6 km)  
    Ceiling:  1500 feet AGL  
    Clouds:  broken clouds at 1500 feet AGL
    overcast cloud deck at 2500 feet AGL  
    Weather:  -RA BR  (light rain, mist)
    SOME DATA ABOVE MAY BE INACCURATE!!!
    "$" is an indication the sensor requires maintenance  
    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    METAR text:  KLYH 041434Z VRB04KT 2 1/2SM +RA BR BKN013 OVC025
17/15 A3018 RMK AO2 RAB1357 P0012 $  
    Conditions at:  KLYH (LYNCHBURG, VA, US) observed 1434 UTC 04
September 2006  
    Temperature:  17.0°C (63°F)  
    Dewpoint:  15.0°C (59°F) [RH = 88%]  
    Pressure (altimeter):  30.18 inches Hg (1022.1 mb)  
    Winds:  variable direction winds at 5 MPH (4 knots; 2.1 m/s)  
    Visibility:  2.50 miles (4.02 km)  
    Ceiling:  1300 feet AGL  
    Clouds:  broken clouds at 1300 feet AGL
    overcast cloud deck at 2500 feet AGL  
    Weather:  +RA BR  (heavy rain, mist)
    SOME DATA ABOVE MAY BE INACCURATE!!!
    "$" is an indication the sensor requires maintenance  
    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    METAR text:  KLYH 041425Z VRB03KT 4SM RA BR BKN017 OVC025 17/15
A3018 RMK AO2 RAB1357 P0009 $  
    Conditions at:  KLYH (LYNCHBURG, VA, US) observed 1425 UTC 04
September 2006  
    Temperature:  17.0°C (63°F)  
    Dewpoint:  15.0°C (59°F) [RH = 88%]  
    Pressure (altimeter):  30.18 inches Hg (1022.1 mb)  
    Winds:  variable direction winds at 3 MPH (3 knots; 1.6 m/s)  
    Visibility:  4 miles (6 km)  
    Ceiling:  1700 feet AGL  
    Clouds:  broken clouds at 1700 feet AGL
    overcast cloud deck at 2500 feet AGL  
    Weather:  RA BR  (rain, mist)
    SOME DATA ABOVE MAY BE INACCURATE!!!
    "$" is an indication the sensor requires maintenance  
    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    METAR text:  KLYH 041417Z 00000KT 2 1/2SM RA BR SCT011 OVC025
17/15 A3018 RMK AO2 RAB1357 P0008 $  
    Conditions at:  KLYH (LYNCHBURG, VA, US) observed 1417 UTC 04
September 2006  
    Temperature:  17.0°C (63°F)  
    Dewpoint:  15.0°C (59°F) [RH = 88%]  
    Pressure (altimeter):  30.18 inches Hg (1022.1 mb)  
    Winds:  calm  
    Visibility:  2.50 miles (4.02 km)  
    Ceiling:  2500 feet AGL  
    Clouds:  scattered clouds at 1100 feet AGL
    overcast cloud deck at 2500 feet AGL  
    Weather:  RA BR  (rain, mist)
    SOME DATA ABOVE MAY BE INACCURATE!!!
    "$" is an indication the sensor requires maintenance  
    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    METAR text:  KLYH 041408Z VRB03KT 1 3/4SM +RA OVC025 17/14 A3018
RMK AO2 VIS 1 1/4V3 RAB1357 P0004 $  
    Conditions at:  KLYH (LYNCHBURG, VA, US) observed 1408 UTC 04
September 2006  
    Temperature:  17.0°C (63°F)  
    Dewpoint:  14.0°C (57°F) [RH = 82%]  
    Pressure (altimeter):  30.18 inches Hg (1022.1 mb)  
    Winds:  variable direction winds at 3 MPH (3 knots; 1.6 m/s)  
    Visibility:  1.75 miles (2.82 km)  
    Ceiling:  2500 feet AGL  
    Clouds:  overcast cloud deck at 2500 feet AGL  
    Weather:  +RA  (heavy rain)
    SOME DATA ABOVE MAY BE INACCURATE!!!
    "$" is an indication the sensor requires maintenance  
From eye witness reports it appears the wings came off in flight.  
    Mary Ann Plunkett was talking on the telephone when she heard a
    "terrible, rattly" noise. She saw the plane, watched it disappear
    behind the trees and figured it went down.
    
    Then Jacob White saw the plane nose-diving, without any wings. By
    that point, the plane was no longer making any noise, he said. He
    saw it go down into the woods behind his house.
    
Tragic.
Thomas Borchert
September 6th 06, 03:53 PM
Larry,
> Tragic indeed.
>
Hmm. If indeed it was VFR into IMC and the pilot had obtained his 
certificate only two months prior, that's not the only word that comes 
to mind. And I would have some questions for the CFI.
-- 
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)
Ron Lee
September 6th 06, 03:59 PM
"Peter R." > wrote:
>
>That appears to be it.  A query of the aircraft registration database shows
>that registration number belonging to a person with the deceased's name.
>
>Additionally, FlightAware.com does not have any history of an IFR flight
>plan under that tail ID.
>
>VFR into IMC?   
Most likely 100% avoidable and yet it continues to happen. 
Ron Lee
Grounded due to fog.
The Visitor
September 6th 06, 04:13 PM
Ron Lee wrote:
> Most likely 100% avoidable and yet it continues to happen. 
> 
Even if you're rich and famous.
Ron Lee
September 6th 06, 04:26 PM
Thomas Borchert > wrote:
>Larry,
>
>> Tragic indeed.
>>
>
>Hmm. If indeed it was VFR into IMC and the pilot had obtained his 
>certificate only two months prior, that's not the only word that comes 
>to mind. And I would have some questions for the CFI.
A word that I think of is "stupid."  You can't legislate common sense.
If this was a case of "get home-itis" then it is just one more.  It
would not be the last.
Ron Lee
ktbr
September 6th 06, 04:29 PM
Thomas Borchert wrote:
> to mind. And I would have some questions for the CFI.
> 
On the surface it appears to be a case of poor decision making
combined with lack of experience. CFI's can't 'teach' experience
and can only do our best to teach good decision making....
and a good part of that is grounded in common sense.
Larry Dighera
September 6th 06, 04:47 PM
On Wed, 06 Sep 2006 10:13:59 -0400, The Visitor
> wrote in
>:
>Ron Lee wrote:
>
>> Most likely 100% avoidable and yet it continues to happen. 
>
>Even if you're rich and famous.
From the photographs of the diseased here
http://www.wdbj7.com/global/story.asp?s=5362572 it's difficult to
believe the "mechanic at a Chevrolet dealership" was either.  
It looks like the pilot was attempting to sell his Cessna:
http://www.barnstormers.com/listing.php?mode=usersearch&user=nswg1&PHPSESSID=4fc045ed173902afc536007139c8bce6
    CESSNA 150G • $18,500 • ACCEPTING OFFERS • 5507ttaf/550SMOH,
    autofuel, stol tips, new tires, o/h seats, mode c, slick mags
    email 4 pics • Contact Ira R. Nash - located Fork, SC USA •
    Telephone: 843-250-5271 • Posted August 23, 2006
Dan Luke
September 6th 06, 05:19 PM
"Mortimer Schnerd, RN"  wrote:
>
> Two folks flew into instrument conditions and tried to fly back out without 
> success.  Aircraft parts are scattered over a one mile radius.
How hard do you have to work to break up a 150 in flight?
I don't believe I've ever heard of its happening before.  Anyone know of 
another case?
-- 
Dan
C-172RG at BFM
B A R R Y[_1_]
September 6th 06, 05:25 PM
Dan Luke wrote:
> "Mortimer Schnerd, RN"  wrote:
>> Two folks flew into instrument conditions and tried to fly back out without 
>> success.  Aircraft parts are scattered over a one mile radius.
> 
> How hard do you have to work to break up a 150 in flight?
I was recently reading the "AOPA Pilot" article about C150 Aerobat 
aerobatic training.
Can any Cessna fans point out the differences between the basic 150/152 
& Aerobat versions?  Do they have different G restrictions?  Or are the 
Aerobat upgrades mainly pilot escape related, etc...
Thanks!
Mortimer Schnerd, RN[_2_]
September 6th 06, 05:52 PM
Dan Luke wrote:
> "Mortimer Schnerd, RN"  wrote:
>>
>> Two folks flew into instrument conditions and tried to fly back out without
>> success.  Aircraft parts are scattered over a one mile radius.
>
> How hard do you have to work to break up a 150 in flight?
>
> I don't believe I've ever heard of its happening before.  Anyone know of
> another case?
I've never heard of one but who knows?  In this case, a graveyard spiral until 
the wings came off?  It only takes a few seconds to go from stall speed to 
redline if you're pointed downhill with the power still on.
-- 
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com
Maule Driver
September 6th 06, 06:01 PM
B A R R Y wrote:
> Dan Luke wrote:
> I was recently reading the "AOPA Pilot" article about C150 Aerobat 
> aerobatic training.
> 
> Can any Cessna fans point out the differences between the basic 150/152 
> & Aerobat versions?  Do they have different G restrictions?  Or are the 
> Aerobat upgrades mainly pilot escape related, etc...
> 
As I recall, there is a bit of horizontal stabilizer reinforcement and 
not much else.
Acrobatic or not, it's hard to imagine it being overly difficult to pull 
the wings off in a spiral.  And not too difficult to get in one in those 
  conditions.
karl gruber[_1_]
September 6th 06, 06:24 PM
The Aerobat has much larger struts and wing attach points.
Karl
"Maule Driver" > wrote in message 
...
>
>
> B A R R Y wrote:
>> Dan Luke wrote:
>> I was recently reading the "AOPA Pilot" article about C150 Aerobat 
>> aerobatic training.
>>
>> Can any Cessna fans point out the differences between the basic 150/152 & 
>> Aerobat versions?  Do they have different G restrictions?  Or are the 
>> Aerobat upgrades mainly pilot escape related, etc...
>>
> As I recall, there is a bit of horizontal stabilizer reinforcement and not 
> much else.
>
> Acrobatic or not, it's hard to imagine it being overly difficult to pull 
> the wings off in a spiral.  And not too difficult to get in one in those 
> conditions.
Emily[_1_]
September 6th 06, 06:33 PM
Thomas Borchert wrote:
> Larry,
> 
>> Tragic indeed.
>>
> 
> Hmm. If indeed it was VFR into IMC and the pilot had obtained his 
> certificate only two months prior, that's not the only word that comes 
> to mind. And I would have some questions for the CFI.
> 
Speaking as a CFI who once had a student that she dumped for doing 
idiotic stuff, it's not always the CFI's fault.
RST Engineering
September 6th 06, 08:37 PM
The 150/152 were certified in the normal/utility category which, as I 
recall, carries a G rating of 3.8/4.4 positive and 1.52/1.76 negative.
The 150 Aerobat was certified in the aerobatic category which carries a 
+6 -3 G rating.
Jim
"Maule Driver" > wrote in message 
...
>>
> As I recall, there is a bit of horizontal stabilizer reinforcement and not 
> much else.
Larry Dighera
September 6th 06, 10:24 PM
>"Maule Driver" > wrote in message 
...
>
>>>
>> As I recall, there is a bit of horizontal stabilizer reinforcement and not 
>> much else.
>
On Wed, 6 Sep 2006 11:37:07 -0700, "RST Engineering"
> wrote in >:
>The 150/152 were certified in the normal/utility category which, as I 
>recall, carries a G rating of 3.8/4.4 positive and 1.52/1.76 negative.
>
>The 150 Aerobat was certified in the aerobatic category which carries a 
>+6 -3 G rating.
But, was Vne increased?
September 7th 06, 12:39 AM
Larry Dighera wrote:
> >"Maule Driver" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> >>>
> >> As I recall, there is a bit of horizontal stabilizer reinforcement and not
> >> much else.
> >
> On Wed, 6 Sep 2006 11:37:07 -0700, "RST Engineering"
> > wrote in >:
>
> >The 150/152 were certified in the normal/utility category which, as I
> >recall, carries a G rating of 3.8/4.4 positive and 1.52/1.76 negative.
> >
> >The 150 Aerobat was certified in the aerobatic category which carries a
> >+6 -3 G rating.
>
> But, was Vne increased?
        Those limits apply to properly maintained airplanes, not those
that have been neglected, abused or otherwise poorly treated. I've seen
serious corrosion in 150 wings that would have weakened them; the
insides of struts can corrode from condensation; The stabilizer spars
can be cracked by pushing down on the tail to swing the nose around
during ground handling (though the 172 is more prone to that). A failed
stab allows the airplane go instantly go over onto its back and the
wings fail downward a la Bonanza or 210.
     Who knows; maybe there was hardware missing. I once came across a
172 that had no nuts on the lower strut attach bolts, and those bolts
were working their way out. There are some real horror stories out
there.
        But I would still suspect loss of control and a hard pull-up
when the ground appeared. The usual scenario in the Bonanza/210 crash.
      Dan
Aluckyguess[_1_]
September 7th 06, 03:16 AM
Must of been scary in that plane.
Morgans[_2_]
September 7th 06, 03:40 AM
> wrote
>         But I would still suspect loss of control and a hard pull-up
> when the ground appeared. The usual scenario in the Bonanza/210 crash.
Generally, when wreckage is spread over such a wide area, it indicates a
breakup at a much higher altitude, than a pull-up close to the ground.
-- 
Jim in NC
BTIZ
September 7th 06, 03:59 AM
"Thomas Borchert" > wrote in message 
...
> Larry,
>
>> Tragic indeed.
>>
>
> Hmm. If indeed it was VFR into IMC and the pilot had obtained his
> certificate only two months prior, that's not the only word that comes
> to mind. And I would have some questions for the CFI.
>
> -- 
> Thomas Borchert (EDDH)
And what questions would that be? The Pilot applicant also had to 
demonstrate some proficiency of the 180 degree turn while under the hood to 
the Examiner. I'm sure all records will be reviewed.
It reminds me of the new teenage driver, all is well in front of family and 
the motor vehicle test. But then they feel invincible after a few weeks on 
their own.
BT
Thomas Borchert
September 7th 06, 11:00 AM
Btiz,
> And what questions would that be?
>
"What was your impression about the pilot's general attitude towards 
risk assessment in flying?" would be one. 
-- 
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)
Thomas Borchert
September 7th 06, 11:00 AM
Emily,
> > 
> Speaking as a CFI who once had a student that she dumped for doing 
> idiotic stuff, it's not always the CFI's fault.
>
I'm aware of that. I didn't say anything about assigning blame. It 
could be at least interesting to learn from the CFI about the general 
mindset of the pilot with rgard to flying.
-- 
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)
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