HURON, OH, USA
N8215S
CESSNA 150F
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%.
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
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
