Accident Details
On 19 May 2005 at 0847 UTC, a Cessna 150M (registration N8174V) was destroyed when it struck terrain approximately 20 nautical miles north of Dundee, Scotland. The sole occupant, the pilot, sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was a 1974 model powered by a single Continental O-200A piston engine. The pilot held an ICAO Airline Transport Pilot's Licence and an FAA Private Pilot's Licence, with 2,400 hours total flying experience, including 1,500 hours on type.
Flight Sequence
The pilot was conducting a ferry flight from the USA to Europe and had stopped overnight at Inverness Airport. The planned next leg was to Newcastle Airport. The forecast weather indicated wind from 220° at 20 to 25 kt, visibility between 10 and 20 km, light rain, and overcast cloud at 3,000 feet amsl. The pilot originally intended to follow the coastline but, due to time constraints, opted for a direct routing to Newcastle.
After an uneventful takeoff at 0730 hrs, the pilot set course south under VFR and climbed to approximately 3,000 feet amsl. He did not use an ATC service. Early in the flight, the weather deteriorated with heavier rain and reduced visibility. The pilot climbed but levelled the aircraft at 3,300 feet amsl, which was the freezing level but below the Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA). The aircraft entered cloud, and the pilot continued using a GPS with basic terrain information.
Loss of Control and Impact
Some time later, the pilot suddenly became aware that the Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) showed a full-scale down deflection and the altimeter indicated a descent. He immediately applied full power but could not arrest the descent. Looking ahead, he saw a mountain about 50 metres away and was unable to alter course before striking the ground at an estimated ground speed of 65 to 70 kt. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft and used his mobile phone to call his family in Austria, who notified their national Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
Rescue
The UK Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC) at Kinloss was alerted and contacted the pilot by telephone at 0947 hrs. The pilot confirmed minor injuries and was equipped with a GPS receiver, survival suit, life jacket, and dinghy. ARCC maintained regular contact and tasked a SAR helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth, but low cloud prevented visual location. A Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) was flown to the area for a ground search. Under ARCC instructions, the pilot used a whistle, enabling the MRT to locate him at approximately 1500 hrs. The crash site was at an altitude of about 2,600 feet amsl. The highest obstacle indicated on the 1:500,000 CAA VFR topographical chart for the region approximately 20 nm north of Dundee was 4,100 feet amsl.
Pilot's Comments
The pilot confirmed that N8174V was serviceable before ground impact. On reflection, he considered that he had relaxed after reaching Inverness Airport and did not properly plan the subsequent legs. With his experience of flying in the Alps, he did not consider that the Scottish mountains would cause him any problems.