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, and the pilot and passenger fatally injured, after an inflight breakup during instrument conditions.
- Prior to the crash, the pilot communicated to air traffic control, "I can't tell, I think we're upside-down," shortly before radar contact was lost.
- A witness reported hearing a "loud pop" and observed the airplane descend into trees, with its wings seen "floating" separately to the ground.
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