At 1132 Eastern time, the airplane was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain following an inflight breakup. The Private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Instrument conditions prevailed. While receiving flight following, the pilot asked the controller for a radar vector. The controller asked the pilot to state his present heading, to which the pilot replied, “I cant tell, I think were upside-down.” Radar contact was lost shortly thereafter. A witness, located near the accident site, reported hearing “a loud pop.” When he looked up, he saw the airplane descend into the woods, and then saw the wings of the airplane “floating” down to the ground.
September 4, 2006, Penhook, Va. / Cessna 150G
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane was destroyed following an in-flight breakup in instrument conditions, resulting in the fatal injury of the pilot and passenger.
- Just before losing radar contact, the pilot reported to air traffic control, "I can't tell, I think we're upside-down," indicating a severe loss of control and spatial disorientation.
- A witness reported hearing a "loud pop" and observing the airplane descend into woods with its wings separating and "floating" to the ground.
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