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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 3, 1988 · Cessna 188 · N3546Q

Sentinel Butte, ND

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sentinel Butte, ND
Aircraft
Cessna 188
Tail Number
N3546Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN88LA146

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP NEAR SENTINEL BUTTE, ND, EN ROUTE TO BEACH, ND. HE SAID THERE WAS A NARROW CLOUD AHEAD, APPROXIMATELY 5-8 MILES LONG, AND EMITTING LIGHTNING, BUT IT DID NOT APPEAR TO HIM TO THREATEN FLIGHT SAFETY. THE PILOT SAID HE SUDDENLY HIT TURBULENCE AND THE WINGS ROLLED VERTICAL, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO RECOVER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN HIT A DOWNDRAFT. THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER AND ONE NOTCH OF FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT BRUSHED SOME TREE TOPS, THEN HIT A HILL, TEARING OFF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE AIRCRAFT THEN HIT THE GROUND AND SKIDDED INTO ANOTHER HILL. THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED AND THE AIRCRAFT CAUGHT FIRE. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. THE PILOT SAID HE NEVER FLEW UNDER THE CLOUD.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP NEAR SENTINEL BUTTE, ND, EN ROUTE TO BEACH, ND. HE SAID THERE WAS A NARROW CLOUD AHEAD, APPROXIMATELY 5-8 MILES LONG, AND EMITTING LIGHTNING, BUT IT DID NOT APPEAR TO HIM TO THREATEN FLIGHT SAFETY. THE PILOT SAID HE SUDDENLY HIT TURBULENCE AND THE WINGS ROLLED VERTICAL, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO RECOVER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN HIT A DOWNDRAFT. THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER AND ONE NOTCH OF FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT BRUSHED SOME TREE TOPS, THEN HIT A HILL, TEARING OFF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE AIRCRAFT THEN HIT THE GROUND AND SKIDDED INTO ANOTHER HILL. THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED AND THE AIRCRAFT CAUGHT FIRE. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. THE PILOT SAID HE NEVER FLEW UNDER THE CLOUD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:15 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 188
Tail NumberN3546Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind9 kt, gusting 50 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data