Cessna 150 accident near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, November 14, 2021
On November 14, 2021 at about 11:59 pm local time, a 1967 Cessna 150, registered N6714S, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s decision to commence the flight in marginal visual flight rules conditions at night, and his failure to maintain a safe altitude once instrument conditions were encountered.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 14, 2021 · about 11:59 pm local time
- Place
- Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 H, built 1967 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N6714S · no longer on the register · serial 15067514
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was returning to his home base under night, marginal, visual flight rules conditions. While enroute, he inadvertently entered instrument conditions and a sudden “snow squall.” He was blinded by the snow and tried to maintain wings level. The airplane gradually descended and impacted trees and terrain, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He had received some instrument training; however, he 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
What happened, in order
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during enroute (cruise)
- VFR encounter with IMC during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Snow › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 196 hours in all; 195 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,554 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 8, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 4,554 hours total
- Operator: Pocono Mountains Flying Club INC
The flight
- Departed from: AVP Wilkes-Barre PA at 11:53 pm
- Destination: MPO Mount Pocono PA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 41°F (5°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from KAVP, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KAVP 142354Z VRB06KT 10SM OVC041 05/M02 A2976 RMK AO2 SLP083 T00501022 10072 20050 56002
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on May 20, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot Questionnaire Provided to FAA | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Memorandum for Record - Pilot Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpts - Aircraft Logbook | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Excerpts - Engine Logbook | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Weather Factual Report | PDF, 24 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Weather Attachment 1 | GIF file | Download |
| 9 | Weather Attachment 2 | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.