Cessna 150K accident near Gilford, NH
On September 30, 2023, a Cessna 150K (airplane) was involved in an accident near Gilford, NH. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 30, 2023
- Place
- Gilford, NH
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150K · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 43.587°N, 71.353°W
- NTSB ID
- 20231001193165
Official records · ERA23FA384
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 30, 2023, about 1942 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, N6312G, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Gilford, New Hampshire. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot departed in visual meteorological conditions from Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) Providence, Rhode Island, about 1610 eastern daylight time, and was destined for the Laconia Municipal Airport (LCI), Laconia, New Hampshire. According to the pilot’s friend/flight instructor, the pilot had flown to PVD earlier in the month for a flight review, but due to weather, had not been able to return to New Hampshire after the review was completed. The purpose of the accident flight was to return the airplane back to his home in New Hampshire. The pilot planned to land at LCI and have dinner with his girlfriend, who was waiting for him at LCI when the accident occurred. ADS-B data revealed that the pilot entered a 45° entry (about mid-field) to the right downwind for runway 26 at LCI between 1,300 and 1,400 ft mean sea level (msl). A review of airport surveillance video revealed the runway lights were turned on when the airplane entered the traffic pattern. The airplane continued on the downwind and after passing abeam the threshold of runway 26, the airplane continued 1.6 miles on a course about 66 degrees true (80 degrees magnetic). The airplane then crossed the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee and continued on the same course for an additional
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of control during visual flight rules flight in night instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s motivation to depart on the flight despite being made aware that conditions might be unsafe and his continuation of the flight as weather conditions deteriorated.
More accidents in NH
- Beechcraft 58P, Sep 2, 2002
- Beech A24, Oct 21, 2022
- Cessna 180, Sep 1, 2014
- Beech A36, Oct 25, 2012
- Convair BT-13A, Aug 3, 2005
Browse: New Hampshire · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
