# NTSB ATL88FA109: Cessna 150, N1258Q, Sylva, NC, March 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1988, 16:37 local (21:37 UTC)
- Place: Sylva, NC
- Coordinates: 35.370395, -83.220619 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3704&lon=-83.2206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7589
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7589/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA109

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN IN THE BOXED CANYON MANEUVERING. THE WITNESS SAID THAT THE PILOT WAS GETTING LOWER ON EACH PASS, UNTIL THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN THE AIRPLANE WENT INTO A WING OVER AND SUBSEQUENT SPIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1258Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1258Q-1988-05-16), registration cancelled 1988-05-16, S/N 15072558 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072558
- Airframe hours: 4185
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tdb Flyers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1987, 50 hours before
- Departed: 24A

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 292 total, 90 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880311005069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880311005069A), Mar 11, 1988: Cessna 150, Sylva, NC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Was observed buzzing a canyon with wingovers on climbout. Next observed in a spin into trees.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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