# NTSB MIA88LA065: Cessna 172, N5123G, Guvate, PR, December 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1987, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Guvate, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32112/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA065

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather service - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - normal
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE FORMATION OF 4 AIRCRAFT AND ENTERED AN AREA OF DETERIORATING WEATHER. HE DESCENDED AND ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE GROUND AND STRUCK TREES AND CRASHED. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND DID NOT OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5123G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5123G-1988-12-23), registration cancelled 1988-12-23, S/N 17257020 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257020
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol, Inc
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TJIG, SAN JUAN, PR
- Destination: TJNR, ROOSEVELT ROADS, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 135 in this make and model, 135 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 25 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 19871219081899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871219081899A), Dec 19, 1987: Cessna 172I, Givate, Puerto Rico, Destroyed. Flew into IFR conditions in mountains. Tried to visually follow a road. Hit trees and impacted the ground.

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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