# NTSB SEA88LA101: Cessna 172M, N20580, Lester State, WA, May 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1988, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Lester State, WA
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA101

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY FLEW INTO A NARROW VALLEY WITH TREES ON BOTH SIDES AND STEEP RISING TERRAIN DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT ABLE TO OUTCLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN, SO THE PILOT SLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO 40 M.P.H. AND ATTEMPTED A SHALLOW CLIMBING TURN TO AVOID LARGE BOULDERS. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES DURING THE TURN. THE AIRCRAFT THEN DESCENDED TOWARDS THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES AND CAME TO REST SEVERAL FEET ABOVE THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20580](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20580-1989-02-06), registration cancelled 1989-02-06, S/N 17261412 (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: 17361412
- Airframe hours: 6786
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lyle P. Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: 15S, LESTER STATE, WA
- Destination: S50, AUBURN, WA
- Airport: 15S, Lester State

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 398 total, 390 in this make and model, 338 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19880530036349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880530036349A), May 30, 1988: Cessna 172M, Lester, WA, Destroyed. Flew up a narrow wooded valley after takeoff. Unable to outclimb terrain. Struck a tree 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.

---
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.