# NTSB SEA88FA166: Cessna 150H, N23204, Caldwell, ID, August 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1988, 18:06 local (Aug 30, 1988, 00:06 UTC)
- Place: Caldwell, ID
- Coordinates: 43.659313, -116.630699 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6593&lon=-116.6307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88FA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA166

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT FLEW TO HUBLER FIELD (A PVT 2800' STRIP) & LANDED. AFTER LANDING ON RWY 10, HE TAXIED BACK TO THE APCH END & TOOK OFF AGAIN. AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING, ABOUT 60' OVER TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END, IT ROLLED ABRUPTLY TO THE LEFT, ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT & CRASHED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE WING FLAPS WERE FULLY EXTENDED. ACCORDING TO THE ACFT HANDBOOK, NORMAL TAKEOFFS SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE FLAPS FULLY RETRACTED & ONLY 10 DEG OF FLAPS SHOULD BE USED FOR SHORT OR SOFT FIELD TAKEOFFS. THE TEMP & DENSITY ALT WERE 96 DEG & 5450', RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23204](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23204-1993-10-05), registration cancelled 1993-10-05, S/N 15068789 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068789
- Airframe hours: 3606
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eldon W. Whiteley
- Registered owner: Eldon W. Whiteley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1988, 28 hours before
- Departed: 64U
- Airport: Hubler, runway 10, 2,800 × 0 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 274 total, 17 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 35° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BOI, 19 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 19880829036249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880829036249A), Aug 29, 1988: Cessna STC150, Caldwell, ID, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Stalled on climbout and nosed into a river. Had departed using full flaps. Was checked out by aircraft co-owner.

## Other investigations on N23204 (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX72FUG51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72FUG51), Jan 24, 1972: Cessna 150 (N23204), Colton, CA, substantial damage

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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