# NTSB SEA89LA181: Cessna 152, N24995, Alderwood Manor, WA, September 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1989, 17:40 local (Sep 30, 1989, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Alderwood Manor, WA
- Coordinates: 47.800788, -122.279235 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8008&lon=-122.2792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41087
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41087/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA181

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE STUDENT PILOT,  AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI), WHICH RESULTED IN A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  UNFAVORABLE (VARIABLE) WIND, DOWNDRAFT, AND THE VEHICLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A SHORT FIELD APCH ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT & HIT AN AUTO THAT WAS PROCEEDING ALONG A PUBLIC ROAD NEAR THE APCH END OF THE RWY. THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) STATED THAT THEY HAD ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT EARLIER IN THE APCH & HAD MADE A NORMAL RECOVERY; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT RECOVER FROM THE 2ND DOWNDRAFT IN TIME TO AVOID HITTING THE AUTO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24995](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24995), registered now, S/N 15280502, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280502
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Richard & Kandace Harvey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: PAE
- Destination: PAE
- Airport: S13, Martha Lake, runway 16, 1,689 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,500 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 4,450 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19890929037249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890929037249A), Sep 29, 1989: Cessna 152, Alderwood Manor, WA, Substantial damage. Downdraft on final. CFI tried too late to stop sink rate. Struck vehicle on road near runway threshold.

## Other investigations on N24995 (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 SEA88LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA141), Jul 29, 1988: Cessna 152 (N24995), Ft. Lewis, 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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