# NTSB LAX88FA246: Cessna 152, N49787, Verdi, NV, July 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1988, 14:03 local (21:03 UTC)
- Place: Verdi, NV
- Location: 39.5217° N, 119.9825° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Verdi, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5217&lon=-119.9825&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA246

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE PRIOR TO NEGOTIATING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WITH FORECAST HIGH WINDS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE WEATHER PHENOMENA KNOWN AS 'MOUNTAIN WAVE' WHICH CREATED DOWNDRAFTS THAT EXCEEDED THE AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE.

## 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
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49787](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49787-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 15281317, built 1978 (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: 152 81317
- Airframe hours: 44102
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Oroville Aviation
- Registered owner: Delbert L. Boyd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 28, 1988, 10 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: OVE, OROVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 130 total, 104 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 14 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 20 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 19880704024739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880704024739A), Jul 4, 1988: Cessna 152, Verdi, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flying too close to mountain ridge in strong surface winds. Unable to recover from a downdraft struck trees crashed

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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