# NTSB SEA91LA252: Cessna 152, N4740H, Malaga, WA, September 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1991, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Malaga, WA
- Coordinates: 47.320613, -120.189743 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3206&lon=-120.1897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41549/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA252

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S FAILURE TO INSURE ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE DURING THE GO-AROUND MANEUVER.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE 1) RISING TERRAIN, 2) HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITION, AND 3) THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S DELAY OF THE GO-AROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING A SIMULATED EMERGENCY LANDING PRACTICE, THE STUDENT PILOT EXECUTED A GO-AROUND MANEUVER.  THE TEMPERATURE WAS REPORTED AS 81 DEGREES F. WITHIN 5 MILES OF THE 1200 FT MSL ACCIDENT SITE.  DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE SITE WAS ESTIMATED AT 3000 FT.  THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT, WHO HAD ALLOWED THE STUDENT TO EXECUTE THE GO-AROUND TOWARD RISING TERRAIN, TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND INITIATED A TURN AWAY FROM THE TERRAIN BUT RECOGNIZED THAT A SUCCESSFUL GO-AROUND WAS NOT FORTHCOMING.  HE THEN EXECUTED A CONTROLLED COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4740H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283975
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Executive Flight, Inc.
- Registered owner: Executive Flight, Inc.
- Departed: EAT, WENATCHEE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,871 total, 800 in this make and model, 2,767 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19910926043129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910926043129A), Sep 26, 1991: Cessna 152, Malaga, WA, Substantial damage. Simulated emergency landing. Started go around too late. Collided with 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.

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