Cessna 150E accident near Ware Shoals, South Carolina, February 19, 2011
On February 19, 2011 at about 10:10 pm local time, a Cessna 150E, registered N3022J, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Ware Shoals, South Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The non-certificated pilot's impairment due to alcohol and a sedating antihistamine, which resulted in his failure to maintain airspeed and the subsequent aerodynamic stall and ground impact.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 19, 2011 · about 10:10 pm local time
- Place
- Ware Shoals, South Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150E · all 150Es on the register
- Registration
- N3022J · no longer on the register · serial 15061122
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-certificated pilot departed from a field near his private residence for a local flight. According to eyewitnesses, the airplane was observed flying overhead about 10 to 15 feet above a tree, which was about 70 feet in height. One eyewitness reported that the airplane was low enough that he could see the occupant’s profile. Several eyewitnesses stated that when the airplane was in the vicinity of the tree, the engine "revved up," then the left wing dropped. The airplane impacted the ground and nosed over. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine revealed no preaccident malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the stall warning switch noted cobwebs inside the mechanism that inhibited the normal operation of the switch. It is likely that the non-certificated pilot was operating the airplane slightly above the stall speed, but no audible warning horn was sounded due to the cobwebs; the pilot then likely let the airspeed drop further, and the airplane stalled and entered a spin; however, due to the close proximity to the ground the pilot was unable to recover. Toxicological testing of the non-certificated pilot’s blood revealed significantly elevated levels of ethanol (alcohol), indicating preaccident ingestion that would have impaired his performance. The testing also indicated the presence of diphenhydramine, a sedating antihistamine, which can result in cognitive and psychomotor impairment. Thus, it is very likely that the combination of alcohol and diphenhydramine impaired the pilot’s cognitive and psychomotor functioning at the time of the accident.
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
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during prior to flight
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Alcohol › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › OTC medication › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Flight time: 0 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,226 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2008; 65 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Ware Shoals SC at 9:30 pm
- Destination: Ware Shoals SC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 9:56 pm from AND, 23 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.