Cessna 150M crashes in Scottish Highlands during ferry flight

Casualties unknown • Approximately 20 miles north of Dundee, Scotland, GB

A pilot flying a Cessna 150M from Inverness to Newcastle struck a mountain north of Dundee after encountering deteriorating weather conditions.

What happened

On 19 May 2005, a CessNA 150M, registration N8174V, was engaged in a private ferry flight from the USA to Europe. After an overnight stop at Inverness Airport, the pilot intended to fly to Newcastle Airport. To save time for a subsequent flight to Zurich, the pilot opted for a direct route rather than following the coastline as originally intended.

During the flight, weather conditions worsened, characterized by heavier rain and reduced visibility. The pilot climbed to 3,300 feet amsl, which was the freezing level but remained below the Minimum Safe Altitude for the area. The aircraft entered cloud cover, and the pilot continued navigation using a GPS unit. During this period, the pilot noticed the Vertical Speed Indicator showing a full-scale descent and the altimeter indicating a loss of altitude. Despite applying maximum power, the pilot could not stop the descent and struck a mountain at an estimated ground speed of 65 to 70 kt. The aircraft was destroyed, though the pilot escaped with minor injuries.

The investigation

The AAIB investigation established that the pilot was flying under VFR but was operating within cloud due to the deteriorating weather. The investigation noted that the pilot did not utilize Air Traffic Control services for this leg. Following the impact, the pilot used a mobile phone to contact family, which triggered a rescue response. Due to low cloud, a search helicopter could not visually locate the pilot, necessitating a ground search by a Mountain Rescue Team. The pilot eventually signaled his location using a whistle.

Findings

  • The pilot had failed to properly plan the subsequent legs of the journey due to a period of relaxation following the previous stop.
  • The flight path took the aircraft below the Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) for the region.
  • The pilot's familiarity with flying in the Alps led to an underestimation of the challenges posed by the Scottish mountains.
  • The aircraft struck terrain at approximately 2,600 feet amsl, while the highest obstacle in the vicinity was 4,100 feet amsl.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to fly a direct route through deteriorating weather and terrain, resulting in the aircraft flying below the Minimum Safe Altitude and ultimately striking a mountain.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2005-05-19 Cessna 150M accident near Approximately 20 miles north of Dundee, Scotland, GB?

A pilot flying a Cessna 150M from Inverness to Newcastle struck a mountain north of Dundee after encountering deteriorating weather conditions.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2005-05-19 involved a Cessna 150M, registration N8174V, at Approximately 20 miles north of Dundee, Scotland, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to fly a direct route through deteriorating weather and terrain, resulting in the aircraft flying below the Minimum Safe Altitude and ultimately striking a mountain.

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