# NTSB SEA98LA135: Cessna 152, N24823, Miltonfreewater, OR, July 14, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1998, 18:15 local (Jul 14, 1998, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Miltonfreewater, OR - Coordinates: 45.899375, -118.340225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8994&lon=-118.3402&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43224 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43224/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA135 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to maintain proper terrain clearance. Factors contributing to the accident are high density altitude and rising terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while flying in mountainous rising terrain, 'I decided that the terrain around us are [sic] rising rather quickly so I started to climb. As I was climbing [the] airplane wasn't performing too well due to high density altitude. Since I was surrounded by valley a turn was not my option.' He further reported that, 'I decided to fly straight without losing anymore airspeed, [and] I impacted [a] series of trees at [the] very top of the hill,' followed by ground impact. The calculated density altitude at the accident site (4,200 feet above sea level) was 6,861 feet. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1998, approximately 1815 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N24823, registered to Walla Walla College, and being operated/flown by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a controlled in-flight collision with terrain approximately 17 nautical miles east northeast of Milton-Freewater, Oregon. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. No flight plan had been filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the Walla Walla Regional airport, Walla Walla, Washington, approximately 1735. The pilot reported that while flying in the Tiger Canyon area southeast of Walla Walla, "I decided that the terrain around us are [sic] rising rather quickly so I started to climb. As I was climbing [the] airplane wasn't performing too well due to high density altitude. Since I was surrounded by valley a turn was not my option. I decided to fly straight without losing anymore airspeed, [and] I impacted [a] series of trees at [the] very top of the hill." The aircraft then impacted terrain. Meteorological conditions at the Walla Walla Regional airport, 20 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, at 1805 hours were as follows: Surface temperature: 84 degrees Fahrenheit Wind direction: 200 degrees magnetic Wind speed: 06 knots Altimeter: 29.89 inches of mercury Walla Walla elevation: 1,205 feet (MSL) The calculated density altitude at the Walla Walla Regional airport, under the above conditions was 3,186 feet. The estimated density altitude at the accident site (4,200 feet MSL), based on the above conditions, was 6,861 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N24823](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24823-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 15280399, 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: 15280399 - Airframe hours: 4628 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lee, Hong - Registered owner: Walla Walla College - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1998, 9 hours before - Departed: ALW, WALLA WALLA, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 192 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ALW, 20 nm away ## 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 19980713025619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980713025619A), Jul 13, 1998: Cessna 152, Milton-Freewate, OR, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot reported that while flying in mountainous rising terrain, 'I decided that the terrain around us are SIC rising rather quickly so I started to… 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.