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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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NTSB Report

September 4, 1988 · Cessna 172P · N52601

Boyne City, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 4, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Boyne City, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N52601
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI88FA231

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE FLYING LOW OVER A SAILBOAT REGATTA TO PHOTOGRAPH SAILBOATS. AS THE PILOT MANEUVERED FOR A PHOTOGRAPH, HE THROTTLED BACK AND BANKED THE AIRCRAFT IN A STEEP BANK. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WATER IN A LEFT WING LOW, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND SANK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THE PASSENGER ESCAPED WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. HE TRIED TO HELP THE PILOT, BUT THE PILOT RECEIVED A HEAD INJURY, WHICH WAS FATAL. APRX 23 MI NNE AT PELLSTON, MI, THE 1152 EDT WX WAS IN PART: ESTD 700' OVC, VIS 3 MI WITH LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS & FOG. WINDS IN THE AREA WERE RPRTD TO BE VARIABLE.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE FLYING LOW OVER A SAILBOAT REGATTA TO PHOTOGRAPH SAILBOATS. AS THE PILOT MANEUVERED FOR A PHOTOGRAPH, HE THROTTLED BACK AND BANKED THE AIRCRAFT IN A STEEP BANK. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WATER IN A LEFT WING LOW, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND SANK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THE PASSENGER ESCAPED WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. HE TRIED TO HELP THE PILOT, BUT THE PILOT RECEIVED A HEAD INJURY, WHICH WAS FATAL. APRX 23 MI NNE AT PELLSTON, MI, THE 1152 EDT WX WAS IN PART: ESTD 700' OVC, VIS 3 MI WITH LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS & FOG. WINDS IN THE AREA WERE RPRTD TO BE VARIABLE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:57 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN52601
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:52
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data