# NTSB DEN88FA110: Cessna 152, N25934, Heber City, UT, May 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1988, 18:30 local (May 20, 1988, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Heber City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.429168, -111.189331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4292&lon=-111.1893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA110

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE CFI AND STUDENT PLT WERE ON A ROUND-ROBIN CROSS-COUNTRY FLT. A WITNESS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE SAID HE SAW AN AIRPLANE FLYING 'UP A CANYON QUITE SLOW AND LOW'. THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTED OVERDUE AND FOUND THE NEXT DAY IN A 'BOX CANYON' AT THE 8,500 FOOT LEVEL. THE PORTION OF THE CANYON WHERE THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IS APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE WIDE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TREES AND STEEP TERRAIN IN A NEAR VERTICAL, NOSE LOW, RT WING LOW ATTITUDE. NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE, ENGINE OR PROPELLER WAS FOUND. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS CALCULATED TO BE 10,278 FEET. THE TERRAIN IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE RISES TO OVER 11,000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25934](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25934-2014-09-25), registration cancelled 2014-09-25, S/N 15280866, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280866
- Airframe hours: 1423
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hudson General
- Registered owner: Raymond K Steele
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1988, 86 hours before
- Departed: 364, HEBER CITY, UT
- Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,454 total, 1,295 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880519048999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880519048999A), May 19, 1988: Cessna 152, Heber City, UT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees and crashed in a canyon with steep rising terrain. Was observed low in canyon. Impact at 8500 feet.

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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