NTSB Factual Report

On November 7, 2002, at 2000 central standard time, a Cessna 150M, N2995V, collided with terrain during an attempted off airport go-around, 3 miles west of New Town, North Dakota. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The last leg of the cross country flight originated in Hot Springs, South Dakota, at 1715 with the intended destination of Minot, North Dakota.

The pilot reported that he was following Highway 83 to Minot. He stated that once he passed Bismarck, he noticed he was getting low on fuel so he attempted to contact Bismarck Air Traffic Control to land, to no avail. He reported he again began to follow the highway, but it was dark, and the highway disappeared in the darkness because there were no vehicles on it. The pilot then decided to land at Garrison, North Dakota, for fuel. He reported that upon approaching Garrison, he saw ground lights, which he mistook was being the airport. While on final approach, he discovered that the lights were actually a trailer court. He applied power to go-around, and the airplane contacted a hill in front of it. The pilot reported that he did not see the hill due to the darkness and the lack of horizon.

The accident site was approximately 45 nautical miles northwest of Garrison, North Dakota.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision. Contributing factors are the pilot becoming lost/disoriented and night conditions.