NTSB Factual Report

On March 31, 2001, about 1600 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 150, N5433Q, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Wintergreen, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD), Staunton, Virginia, destined for Bladenboro Airport (3W6,) Bladenboro, North Carolina. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he called Raleigh Automated Flight Service Station three times to check the weather before departing for SHD. During the last briefing, which was conducted about 0845, the pilot was advised of marginal visual flight rule conditions developing about 1900, along his planned return route of flight. The pilot then completed the flight to SHD without incident. The airplane was serviced with a full load of fuel, and the pilot went to conduct some personal business in the local area.

The pilot completed his business, and returned to the airport about 1520. He preflighted the airplane, but did not get an updated weather briefing. The pilot and passenger boarded the airplane. The engine started on the first attempt, and the pilot taxied short of Runway 5 to complete the run-up checks. During the checks no anomalies were noted and the airplane departed. After passing 1,800 feet msl, the pilot made a right turn to 180 degrees, and continued his climb to about 3,800 feet msl. When the airplane was approximately 18 miles south of SHD, and about 8 to 10 minutes before the accident, the pilot started to encounter deteriorating weather. At first, the pilot had visual contact with the ground, but reduced visibility forward due to fog.

About 3 minutes before the accident, the pilot made a turn to the west towards a highway to maintain visual meteorological conditions (VMC). During the turn, the pilot lost all outside visual reference. He leveled the wings and started a climb in hopes of climbing to VMC. During the climb, he identified some trees to the front of the airplane. The pilot applied full throttle, and pitched the nose of the airplane up to avoid the trees. Once again, he lost all outside visual reference. When indicated airspeed reached approximately 45 knots, the stall horn sounded and the pilot lowered the nose. The airplane accelerated to 65 knots, and continued to climb. The airplane then entered VMC, but was not in a position to avoid the approaching terrain. The pilot closed the throttle, and applied right rudder to shield his passenger from the majority of the impact. The airplane impacted an unoccupied house and came to a stop. The pilot and passenger then exited the airplane under their own power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper decision to continue the flight into deteriorating weather.