Cessna 150M accident near Ashley, North Dakota, October 21, 2004
On October 21, 2004, a Cessna 150M, registered N63439, was destroyed in an accident near Ashley, North Dakota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The non-instrument rated pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions and his not maintaining aircraft control during cruise flight. Factors present were the night condition and low ceilings.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 21, 2004
- Place
- Ashley, North Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N63439 · no longer on the register · serial 15077315
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was destroyed on impact with terrain and a post impact fire occurred. Night marginal visual meteorological conditions to instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the accident. A lineman at the departure airport stated, "The pilot said he was looking forward to a pheasant hunt in North Dakota. ... He asked to have his plane, N63439, topped off with 100LL. He also purchased 2 quarts of 15/50 oil and a Twin Cities sectional. While waiting for the fuel the pilot sat at the DTN weather computer. When the pilot came back to the counter he expressed concern with the weather, 'It's a little down between here and there.'" The sheriff was a first responder and observed a small fire burning in the wreckage. The sheriff's report stated, "When I approached the area of the wreckage I observed several pieces of metal that were twisted and broken. There was a burn area of approximately 60-80 feet in diameter. Scattered all throughout the crash site were 12 gauge shot shells. I observed a small section of tail that confirmed that this was, in fact an airplane that appeared to have been blue and white in color. The main section of wreckage was on the east edge of the debris field. The wreckage was such that it was impossible to find an identification number or "N" number." Photographs reveal that the fuselage was consumed by fire. Both wing's leading edges were crushed rearward. The engine and propeller were impacted in terrain. The airplane's data plate was found. The pilot was not instrument rated.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 71 hours in all
- Last flight review: May 17, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,245.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 5, 2004
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: BJI Bemidji MN at 10:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 110° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.