# NTSB LAX88LA231: Cessna 152, N4792B, Stonyford, CA, June 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1988, 20:35 local (Jun 23, 1988, 03:35 UTC)
- Place: Stonyford, CA
- Coordinates: 39.27082, -122.459335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2708&lon=-122.4593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26041
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26041/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA231

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS FLYING 500 FEET AGL OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHEN A STRONG DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF IT AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4792B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4792B-1992-07-23), registration cancelled 1992-07-23, S/N 15283638 (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: 15283638
- Airframe hours: 6015
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aviation Training Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 11, 1988
- Departed: RBL, RED BLUFF, CA
- Destination: HWD, HAYWARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 94 total, 33 in this make and model, 52 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 21 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19880622057739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880622057739A), Jun 22, 1988: Cessna 152, Stonyford, CA, Substantial damage. Hit a severe downdraft flying close to a mountain, unable to recover turned away from trees. Hit side of mountain.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.