DOUGLAS, WA, USA
N3900J
Cessna 150G
The airplane collided with open terrain in a level attitude during a cross-country flight. The pilot stated that he believes that he fell asleep. He also stated that he was in bed for 12 hours the night before, and got at least 7 hours sleep.
On November 12, 1995, approximately 1055 Pacific standard time (PST), a Cessna 150G, N3900J, impacted the terrain during cruise flight about two miles east of Douglas, Washington. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Deer Park, Washington, at 0945, was en route to Cashmere, Washington. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was being operated in visual meteorological conditions on a VFR flight plan. The ELT, which was activated by the impact, was turned off at the scene. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he apparently fell asleep while in cruise flight. The pilot stated that he remembers trying to make contact with Seattle Flight Service Station to cancel his flight plan and divert to Waterville, Washington. He stated that he does not recall all of the events, but felt that there was no reason to land at Waterville, unless it was to rest. The deputy from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office who was the first to arrive at the accident site, reported that the pilot stated that he "...thinks he just fell asleep." The deputy documented the accident site, and reported that the ground impact with the snow-covered wheat field indicated that the airplane was traveling in a westerly direction, and collided with the terrain in a level attitude. At the beginning of the wreckage distribution path, the deputy found three landing-gear marks indicating that all the gear touched down in the same area. A trail continued from the initial touchdown point until the nose gear sheared off and the airplane nosed over. The total wreckage distribution path measured 201 feet. According to the FAA inspectors who responded to the accident, there was no evidence of carbon monoxide leaking into the cockpit of the aircraft.
THE PILOT FELL ASLEEP.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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