# NTSB SEA88LA171: Cessna 172L, N2811Q, Leavenworth, WA, September 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1988, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Leavenworth, WA
- Coordinates: 47.810546, -120.860778 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8105&lon=-120.8608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40879
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40879/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA171

## 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
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON INITIAL CLIMB OVER TREES BORDERING 2500-FT MOUNTAIN STRIP, PLT EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND SEVERE WIND GUSTS BEYOND HIS CAPABILITY TO COUNTER. ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2811Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2811Q-1989-11-28), registration cancelled 1989-11-28, S/N 17259811 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259811
- Airframe hours: 3089
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Regal Air Corporation
- Registered owner: John Burkholder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 24, 1988, 21 hours before
- Destination: EAT, WENATCHEE, WA
- Airport: WA32, Lake Wenatchee State, runway 27, 2,500 × 250 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 250 in this make and model, 270 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 18 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19880905036819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880905036819A), Sep 5, 1988: Cessna 172, Leavenworth, WA, Substantial damage. Took off into severe gusty wind shear conditions. Lost control and descended into trees on the climbout.

## Other investigations on N2811Q (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 SEA88LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA035), Jan 17, 1988: Cessna 172 (N2811Q), Everett, WA, 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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