# NTSB SEA00LA156: Cessna 152, N6434H, Hillsboro, OR, August 10, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 2000, 18:32 local (Aug 10, 2000, 01:32 UTC) - Place: Hillsboro, OR - Coordinates: 45.579208, -122.909393 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5792&lon=-122.9094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 49986 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49986/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA156 ## Probable cause An inadequately planned approach. The encounter of wake turbulence and not being able to maintain aircraft control were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The student pilot reported that the airplane was trailing about 30 seconds behind two Life Flight helicopters on final approach for landing. About 500 feet before the end of the runway, the helicopters turned to the right toward the ramp area. The student pilot, who was on the flight controls at the time, stated that the approach was continued and at about 100-150 feet AGL and 60 knots airspeed, the airplane suddenly rolled to the right about 90 degrees. The flight instructor took over the controls and righted the aircraft, however, it continued to settle to the ground in a nose down attitude. The airplane collided with the ground about 200 feet short of the end of the runway and slid about 60 feet before coming to rest. Inspection of the flight control system did not reveal a mechanical failure or malfunction. The operator of the aircraft stated that he believed that wake turbulence from the helicopters contributed to the aircraft's sudden roll and subsequent collision with the ground. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 2000, at 1832 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6434H, registered to and operated by Hillsboro Aviation as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, collided with the ground short of the runway 02 at Hillsboro, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The flight instructor was seriously injured, while the student pilot received minor injuries. The student pilot reported that the aircraft was trailing about 30 seconds behind two Life Flight helicopters (Bell 230 and BK 117) on final approach to runway 02. After the helicopters crossed over the airport boundary fence (about 500 feet before the end of the runway) they made a right turn for landing on the ramp. The student stated that he was on the controls at the time, and at about 100-150 feet above ground level and 60 knots, the aircraft suddenly rolled to the right about 90 degrees. The flight instructor took over the controls and righted the aircraft, however, it continued to settle to the ground in a nose down attitude. The aircraft collided with the ground about 200 feet short of the end of the runway and slid about 60 feet before coming to rest. In a written statement that was attached to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form 6120.1/2, which was signed by the school director from Hillsboro Aviation, it indicated that, "It is believed wake turbulence from the helicopters may have contributed to the accident." The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Portland-Hillsboro Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site. The inspector reported that control continuity was established throughout the flight control system. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6434H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6434H-2001-04-21), registration cancelled 2001-04-21, S/N 15284166, 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: 15284166 - Airframe hours: 9318 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hillsboro Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 21, 2000, 53 hours before - Departed: HIO, HILLSBORO, OR - Destination: HIO - Airport: HIO, Portland-Hillsboro, runway 02, 4,049 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 28, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 530 total, 300 in this make and model, 460 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: HIO ## 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 20000810014049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000810014049A), Aug 10, 2000: Cessna 152, Portland, OR, No damage. (-23) Student/instructor had been performing local traffic touch and go manuevers at hio (rwy 02) for approx 1 hour. At approx. 1815Z the a/c was instructed by… 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.