# NTSB SEA91LA177: Cessna 152, N48965, Walla Walla, WA, July 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1991, 15:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Walla Walla, WA
- Coordinates: 46.04034, -118.399154 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0403&lon=-118.3992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA177

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S POOR COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.  FACTORS WERE DOWNDRAFTS AND THE STUDENT PILOTS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING A SOLO TOUCH-AND-GO, THE STUDENT PILOT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT, JUST PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE FLARE TO LAND.  SHE WAS UNABLE TO OVERCOME THE EXCESSIVE SINK RATE PRIOR TO LANDING HARD, SHORT OF THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48965](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48965-2000-06-26), registration cancelled 2000-06-26, S/N 15281077 (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: 15281077
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Walla Walla College
- Registered owner: Walla Walla College
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ALW, Walla Walla, runway 2, 7,186 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 33 total, 24 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- 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 19910717027919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910717027919A), Jul 17, 1991: Cessna 152, Walla Walla, WA, Substantial damage. Landed hard on solo flight. Blamed a downdraft.

## Other investigations on N48965 (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 SEA97LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA066), Feb 26, 1997: Cessna 152 (N48965), College Place, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The certified flight instructor's improper in-flight decision to continue the landing attempt and not perform a go-around, her failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and her failure to apply…

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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