Accident Details
On October 18, 2024, at 1826 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150 airplane, registered as N11519, was substantially damaged in an accident near Gainesville, Georgia. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the passenger was not injured. The flight was conducted as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight History
According to preliminary flight track data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane departed from Gwinnett County Airport (LZU) in Lawrenceville, Georgia, at 1802 and proceeded toward Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport (GVL) in Gainesville. The pilot did not file a flight plan and did not contact air traffic control during the enroute portion of the flight.
Passenger Actions
Shortly after the pilot announced his intention to land at GVL on the airport's common traffic advisory frequency, the passenger reported that the pilot became unresponsive. The passenger then took control of the airplane and flew four low passes over the airport before landing on runway 5 at 1826.
Landing and Aftermath
Upon touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the nose of the airplane impacted the runway and slid. Witnesses met the pilot and passenger and extinguished a small fire near the forward portion of the airplane. First responders transported the pilot to a local hospital. The pilot subsequently died on October 20.
Examination
A subsequent examination by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the lower, forward fuselage of the airplane.