Cessna 150 N1703Q accident near Clay, Kentucky

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to attempt a VFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol consumption.

NTSB analysis

The pilot consumed alcohol and attempted a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight over mountainous terrain in night instrument meteorological conditions. During the flight, the airplane had climbed to approximately 1,400 ft above ground level (agl), but the pilot experienced increasing rain intensity and decreasing ceiling heights. He repeatedly descended the airplane to remain below cloud layers and was at an altitude of about 300 ft agl when the airplane collided with trees about 5 miles from his intended diversionary airport. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

The FAA Forensic Sciences laboratory performed toxicological testing of specimens from the pilot collected by hospital personnel about 11.5 hours after the accident. Ethanol was detected in blood and serum at levels consistent with a blood alcohol level of 0.23 g/dL at the time of the accident, well above what FAA regulations permit.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA134 for the full record.