# NTSB DEN88LA187: Cessna 152, N93538, Leadville, CO, August 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1988, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Leadville, CO
- Coordinates: 39.239768, -106.290962 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2398&lon=-106.2910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17529
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17529/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA187

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS LOST DURING A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. AFTER LANDING AND REFUELING AT LEADVILLE, COLORADO, HE ATTEMPTED TO FLY THROUGH A MOUNTAIN PASS TOWARDS HIS DESTINATION. HE CLIMBED THE ACFT TO 12,000 AND TRIED TO CONTINUE THE CLIMB. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING BESIDE A DIRT ROAD. THE PLT SAID HE STALLED THE ACFT ABOUT 5 FT AGL TO REDUCE THE SPEED. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN HIGH VEGETATION AND NOSED OVER. THE FUSELAGE WAS BROKEN AFT OF THE CABIN. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE BY AN NTSB INVESTIGATOR FAILED TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF PRE-ACCIDENT FAILURE OR DEFICIENCY. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS 11,000 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93538](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93538-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 15285511, built 1982 (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: 15285511
- Airframe hours: 4588
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: N.American Inst. Of Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 2, 1988, 42 hours before
- Departed: LXV, LEADVILLE, CO
- Destination: COS, COLORADO SPRING, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 179 total, 95 as pilot in command, 129 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19880819034639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880819034639A), Aug 19, 1988: Cessna 152, Leadville, CO, Substantial damage. Lost. Landed en route to get bearings,then tried to climb through a pass. Unable, tried to land on road. Nosed over.

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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