# NTSB LAX88LA236: Cessna 152, N23TW, Lake Tahoe, CA, June 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1988, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake Tahoe, CA
- Location: 38.9282° N, 119.9810° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of South Lake Tahoe, CA, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9282&lon=-119.9810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26046/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA236

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - aircraft performance - exceeded (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SUSTAIN A POSITIVE CLIMB RATE. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 10000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23TW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23TW-2013-03-26), registration cancelled 2013-03-26, S/N 15283297, 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: 15283297
- Airframe hours: 3300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mr. Aircraft
- Registered owner: Fischel, Robert F
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 16, 1988, 25 hours before
- Destination: 061, CAMERON PARK, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Van Vleck, runway 34, 3,500 × 30 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,900 total, 250 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19880627035289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880627035289A), Jun 27, 1988: Cessna 152, Lake Tahoe, CA, Substantial damage. Tried to depart a mountain strip and hit trees on climbout. Hot day and strip elevation density altitude of 10000FT

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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