# NTSB DEN88LA146: Cessna 188, N3546Q, Sentinel Butte, ND, July 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1988, 22:15 local (Jul 3, 1988, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Sentinel Butte, ND
- Coordinates: 46.909248, -103.8404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9092&lon=-103.8404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA146

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - lightning (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - descent - uncontrolled (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP NEAR SENTINEL BUTTE, ND, EN ROUTE TO BEACH, ND. HE SAID THERE WAS A NARROW CLOUD AHEAD, APPROXIMATELY 5-8 MILES LONG, AND EMITTING LIGHTNING, BUT IT DID NOT APPEAR TO HIM TO THREATEN FLIGHT SAFETY. THE PILOT SAID HE SUDDENLY HIT TURBULENCE AND THE WINGS ROLLED VERTICAL, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO RECOVER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN HIT A DOWNDRAFT. THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER AND ONE NOTCH OF FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT BRUSHED SOME TREE TOPS, THEN HIT A HILL, TEARING OFF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE AIRCRAFT THEN HIT THE GROUND AND SKIDDED INTO ANOTHER HILL. THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED AND THE AIRCRAFT CAUGHT FIRE. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. THE PILOT SAID HE NEVER FLEW UNDER THE CLOUD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3546Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3546Q-1991-04-16), registration cancelled 1991-04-16, S/N 1880496 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188
- Registry model: [Cessna A188](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188) (registry code 2073004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 188-0496
- Airframe hours: 3685
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Boyd H. Trester
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1988, 60 hours before
- Departed: SENTINEL BUTTE, ND
- Destination: 204, BEACH, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,827 total, 2,456 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: variable at 9 knots, gusting 50
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19880702024999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880702024999A), Jul 2, 1988: Cessna A188, Sentinel Butte, ND, Destroyed. Entered area of turbulence near a thunderstorm, got in a downdraft. Unable to recover hit ground. Aircraft burned.

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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