Cessna 150M accident near Venice, Florida, January 18, 2004
On January 18, 2004, a Cessna 150M, registered N63159, was destroyed in an accident near Venice, Florida. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The spatial disorientation of the flightcrew during the dark night and their failure to maintain control of the airplane resulting in the uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with trees and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 18, 2004
- Place
- Venice, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150M · all 150Ms on the register
- Registration
- N63159 · no longer on the register · serial 15077146
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After takeoff, the flight proceeded to another airport where one touch-and-go landing was performed. The flight then proceeded to the Venice Municipal Airport, where, according to a witness reported she heard hearing an airplane for a total time of between 30 seconds and 1 minute. During the entire time she heard the airplane, the engine sputtered. She observed an airplane flying what was reported to be southbound, then observed the airplane bank to the right, and descend nose low before the sound of the crash. The also reported it was a dark night. The post-accident examination of the airplane revealed the fuel vent line was internally obstructed with an insect nest. Both fuel tank caps were of the vented type, and the air passages were clear; the crossover vent line from the right to left tank was crushed but free of obstructions. The Pilot's Operating Handbook indicates that during the preflight inspection, the fuel tank vent opening is to be checked for stoppage; though the handbook does not indicate to check that the vent line assembly into the fuel tank is free of obstructions. The investigation revealed the left-seat occupant had noted on the day of the accident that the vent line was blocked and informed the owner of the airplane. The owner checked but it did not appear to him that the line was blocked. No subsequent maintenance was performed on the line. The airplane was then operated about 1 hour 13 minutes on two separate flights. The owner was aboard the airplane during one of the flights, which lasted about 20 minutes. The owner did not report any discrepancies during his 20-minute flight. The airplane "Service Manual" indicates that, "Any fuel vent found plugged or restricted must be corrected prior to returning aircraft to service.
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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 260 hours in all
- Last flight review: August 11, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 456 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,511.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 21, 2003; 120.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KPGD Punta Gorda FL at 11:27 pm
- Destination: KPGD
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.