# NTSB SEA88LA058: Cessna 152, N4932H, Gold Bar, WA, March 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1988, 09:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Gold Bar, WA
- Coordinates: 47.859272, -121.659355 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8593&lon=-121.6594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40788
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40788/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA058

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT AND HIS DUAL STUDENT FLEW INTO A CANYON AREA. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ALLOWED TO FLY TOO CLOSE TO RISING TERRAIN WHICH THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB. DURING A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. THE CFI STATED THAT THEY COULD HAVE STAYED OUT OF THE CANYON OR GONE IN AT A HIGHER ALT BUT THAT HE HAD BEEN THERE BEFORE UNDER SIMILIAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND CONSIDERED IT SAFE. ON THIS DAY, ACCORDING TO THE STATED REPORT, THE STUDENT PLT HAD TROUBLE HOLDING THE ACFT ON COURSE AND DRIFTED TOWARD RISING TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4932H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4932H-1995-08-17), registration cancelled 1995-08-17, S/N 15284027 (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: 15284027
- Airframe hours: 4522
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harvey Airfield
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 6, 1988
- Departed: S43, SNOHOMISH, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,990 total, 2,925 in this make and model, 2,801 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880317054739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880317054739A), Mar 17, 1988: Cessna 152, Gold Bar, WA, Substantial damage. Flew into canyon. Noted too late. Unable to outclimb rising terrain. Crashed on side of canyon trying to turn around

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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