# NTSB LAX89FA229: Cessna 152, N5199Q, Cordes, AZ, June 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1989, 07:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: Cordes, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.339195, -112.029563 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3392&lon=-112.0296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA229

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE, WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND DIVERSION OF THE PILOT'S ATTENTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT, WHO HAD 79 TOTAL HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME, DEPARTED ON HIS THIRD SUPERVISED SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. WHILE EN ROUTE TO HIS DESTINATION, HE BEGAN CIRCLING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.  THE AIRCRAFT'S ALTITUDE PROGRESSIVELY LOWERED. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT AFTER THE THIRD CIRCLE, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED & CARTWHEELED TO A STOP. THE STUDENT HAD PARTICIPATED IN CIVIL AIR PATROL FLIGHTS & WAS ACQUAINTED WITH A PROTOCOL FOR 'CONTOUR' SEARCHING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. AN ACQUAINTANCE OF THE PILOT SUSPECTED THAT HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR INDIAN RUINS, WHILE CIRCLING. THE ACQUAINTANCE ALSO STATED THAT A PILOT COULD BECOME FIXATED ON AN OBJECT DURING A CONTOUR SEARCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5199Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5199Q-1990-07-12), registration cancelled 1990-07-12, S/N 15285085 (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: 15285085
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aircraft Engineering & Svc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1989
- Departed: DVT, DEER VALLEY, AZ
- Destination: P52, COTTONWOOD, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 79 total, 43 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 28 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 19890630018649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890630018649A), Jun 30, 1989: Cessna 152, Cordes, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed on mountainside, observed in descending spiral.

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.