# NTSB SEA88LA076: Cessna 172M, N91555, Lake Mead, NV, April 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1988, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Mead, NV
- Coordinates: 36.24018, -115.029403 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2402&lon=-115.0294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA076

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING VERY CLOSE TO THE WATER FOR THE PURPOSE OF DROPPING BEER TO FRIENDS. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO INADVERTENTLY DESCEND AND STRIKE THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91555](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91555-1991-04-15), registration cancelled 1991-04-15, S/N 17261501 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17261501
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Las Vegas Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 170 total, 4 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19880412009249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880412009249A), Apr 12, 1988: Cessna 172M, Lake Mead, NV, Destroyed. While flying too close to water pilot allowed aircraft to strike surface. Aircraft flipped over and sank.

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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