NTSB Factual Report

On February 8, 2001, at 0755 central standard time, a Cessna 150K airplane, N5695G, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with terrain while in cruise flight in the vicinity of Bishop, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated at 0745 from the Bishop Municipal Airport, Bishop, Texas, and was en-route to the Valley International Airport, Harlingen, Texas.

During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that he was leaning forward and trying to untangle the wires of his headset jacks when the airplane "unexpectedly" impacted the ground. He stated that he was flying at about 500 feet AGL and did not have a good horizon.

An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that ground impressions at the site indicated that the airplane impacted the ground in a near level attitude. There were skid marks extending about 50 feet from the initial impact point to where the airplane came to rest. Multiple propeller strike marks were found in the ground about 25 feet from the initial impact point. Toward the end of the skid marks, the airplane was found nosed over and inverted with the nose landing gear collapsed. Both lower engine mounts were found broken and the firewall was buckled. Both upper wing skins were found wrinkled when the airplane was righted.

The nearest weather reporting facility, located about 15 miles to the west of the accident site, reported the following visibility and cloud conditions at 0739 and 0756:

0739

Visibility 4 miles, 500 feet overcast.

0756

Visibility 4 miles, 500 feet broken, 1000 overcast.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain altitude and clearance from terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's diverted attention and the low ceiling.