# NTSB SEA88LA088: Cessna 172M, N12659, Hood River, OR, May 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1988, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Hood River, OR
- Coordinates: 45.609821, -121.580566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6098&lon=-121.5806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40811/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA088

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT HAD DIVERTED BACK ALONG COURSE TO LAND BECAUSE OF OBSERVED WX AHEAD. ON LATE FINAL, A STRONG WIND GUST TIPPED THE ACFT TO NEAR WINGS-VERTICAL ATTITUDE. PLT MANAGED TO CORRECT TO WINGS LEVEL BUT COULD NOT CONTROL ALTITUDE LOSS BEFORE GROUND CONTACT. PLT STATED WINDS AT THE TIME WERE 250 DEG AT 30 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12659](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12659-1989-06-09), registration cancelled 1989-06-09, S/N 17262154 (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: 62154
- Airframe hours: 5876
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Center O Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1988, 148 hours before
- Departed: LGD, LA GRANDE, OR
- Airport: 4S2, Hood River, runway 25, 3,040 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 131 total, 89 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLS, 17 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 19880506013019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880506013019A), May 6, 1988: Cessna 172M, Hood River, OR, Substantial damage. Encountered weather and turned back to Hood River. Severe turbulence and downdraft caused a crash short of runway.

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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