# NTSB DEN89FA001: Cessna 152, N48926, Eden, UT, October 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1988, 14:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Eden, UT
- Coordinates: 41.329715, -111.79 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3297&lon=-111.7900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17562
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17562/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PLT TOLD RAMP PSNL THAT HE & HIS WIFE WERE PLANNING TO TAKE SOME PICTURES OF THE BEAUTIFUL FALL COLORS. A WITNESS NEAR THE CRASH SITE OBSERVED AN ACFT (MATCHING THE DESCRIPTION OF N48926) FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A BOX CANYON AREA WHERE STEEP TERRAIN PREVAILED ON BOTH SIDES & AHEAD OF THE ACFT. ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 8000 FT. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 10,400 FT. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE ACFT HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND, EXCEPT ONE OF THE BOTTOM SPARK PLUGS CONTAINED ENOUGH LEAD DEPOSITS TO FILL THE GAP BTN THE CENTER POST (ELECTRODE) & ONE SIDE OF THE PLUG. CHORDWISE SCRAPES WERE FOUND ON THE PROP BLADES. ALSO, A 3 INCH LIMB WAS FOUND AT THE CRASH SITE WHICH HAD BEEN SLICED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48926](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48926-1991-03-20), registration cancelled 1991-03-20, S/N 15281053 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281053
- Airframe hours: 5402
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wasatch Western Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 12, 1988, 46 hours before
- Departed: OGD, OGDEN, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 61 total, 61 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 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 19881001042439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881001042439A), Oct 1, 1988: Cessna 152, Eden, UT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into trees on side of a canyon and burned. Flew too low and unable to outclimb terrain due to density altitude

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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