Cessna 150K accident near Shelby Gap, Kentucky, September 2, 2006
On September 2, 2006 at about 2:15 pm local time, a Cessna 150K, registered N6401G, was destroyed in an accident near Shelby Gap, Kentucky (Big Sandy Regional Airport). 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 pilot's improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an impact with mountainous terrain. A factor was the low ceiling.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 2, 2006 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Shelby Gap, Kentucky · Big Sandy Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150K · all 150Ks on the register
- Registration
- N6401G · no longer on the register · serial 15071901
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-instrument rated private pilot was attempting a cross-country flight, when the airplane impacted mountainous terrain. A witness reported that he heard the airplane circling, but could not see it due to fog. The witness heard the engine continually running, and then heard the sound of impact. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The reported weather near the accident site, about the time of the accident, included an overcast ceiling at 600 feet. There was no record of the pilot receiving a weather briefing from Flight Service. The pilot's most recent FAA medical certificate was issued more than 15 years prior to the accident, and he did not report any medications or abnormal medical history on his application. Toxicological testing indicated the pilot had taken pain medication, and his autopsy report noted evidence of previous coronary artery bypass; however, the report did not support or refute any possible impairment or incapacitation.
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: 1,200 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Brasstown NC at 12:00 pm
- Destination: K22 Prestonburg KY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 600 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 2:19 pm from LNP, 16 miles away
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.