The Passenger Reported That The Pilot Became Unresponsive

Location: Gainesville, GA Accident Number: ERA25LA019
Date & Time: October 18, 2024, 18:26 Local Registration: N11519
Aircraft: Cessna 150 Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal 

On October 18, 2024, at 1826 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150 airplane, N11519, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Gainesville, Georgia. The pilot was fatally injured the passenger was not injured. The airplane was operated as Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Preliminary flight track data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that the airplane departed from Gwinnett County Airport (LZU), Lawrenceville Georgia at 1802 and proceeded toward Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport (GVL), Gainesville, Georgia. The pilot did not open a flight plan, nor did he contact air traffic control while enroute. 

Shortly after the pilot announced his intention to land at GVL on the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency, the passenger reported that the pilot became unresponsive. The passenger took control of the airplane and flew four low passes over the airport before landing the airplane on runway 5 at 1826.

Upon touching down, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the nose of the airplane impacted and slid down the runway. The pilot and passenger were subsequently met by witnesses who extinguished a small fire near the forward portion of the airplane. First responders subsequently transported the pilot to a local hospital. The pilot subsequently died on October 20.

A subsequent examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the lower, forward fuselage. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov