# NTSB DEN88LA156: Cessna 152, N48055, Gallup, NM, July 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1988, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Gallup, NM
- Coordinates: 35.519897, -108.729522 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5199&lon=-108.7295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA156

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO TAKEOFF FROM THE 6469 FT MSL AIRPORT, THE PILOT LEANED THE MIXTURE AT 2000 RPM. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APRX 9100 FT MSL. THE 10-DEG FLAP TAKEOFF AND CLIMBOUT TO 300 FT AGL WAS SAID TO BE NORMAL INITIALLY; THEN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE RPM REMAINED AT ABOUT 2000 RPM. THE PILOT SAID HE RAISED THE FLAPS AND LOWERED THE NOSE TO REACQUIRE VY, BUT THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED LOSING ALTITUDE. THE PILOT DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN OPEN PASTURE APRX 3 MILES WEST OF THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND DEPLOYED FULL FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN AND, DURING ROLLOUT, HIT A SMALL GULLY AND FLIPPED OVER. THE PILOT SAID HEAVY RAIN FELL 45 MIN AFTER THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO GALLUP FSS, A THUNDERSTORM MOVED S OF THE ARPT AT 1349 WITH RAINSHOWERS OF UNKNOWN INTENSITY IN ALL QUADRANTS. ACFT HANBOOK STATES THAT THE MIXTURE SHOULD BE LEANED AT FULL POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48055](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48055-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 15283275, built 1979 (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: 15283275
- Airframe hours: 3235
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: King Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Glenn O. Short
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 10, 1988, 50 hours before
- Departed: GUP, GALLUP, NM
- Destination: SAF, SANTA FE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GUP, Gallup Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 94 total, 88 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUP, 3 nm away

## 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 19880714027599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880714027599A), Jul 14, 1988: Cessna 152, Gallup, NM, Substantial damage. Failed to properly lean mixture for high altitude takeoff. Mushed into a field and aircraft nosed over. Pilot skill

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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