# NTSB SEA89LA147: Cessna 152, N95099, Mollala, OR, August 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1989, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Mollala, OR
- Coordinates: 45.070388, -122.550941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0704&lon=-122.5509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41060/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA147

## Probable cause

PILOT DISPLAYED POOR JUDGEMENT AND DID NOT ADEQUATELY PLAN FOR THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE AREA AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS. AS A RESULT, THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR THE CONDITIONS TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN.

## Analysis

DURING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS FLOWN INTO A VALLEY THAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE ACCESSIBLE. WHILE IN THE VALLEY, THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN WHICH IT SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95099](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95099-1990-10-16), registration cancelled 1990-10-16, S/N 15285848 (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: 15285848
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aurora Aviation
- Departed: 3S2, AURORA, OR
- Destination: S21, SUNRIVER, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,270 total, 360 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 276 in the last 90 days, 111 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890806027719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890806027719A), Aug 6, 1989: Cessna 152, Mollala, OR, Destroyed. Got into a box canyon at low altitude to overfly students residence. Was unable to turn or outclimb rising terrain.

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.