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Casualties unknown

Sightseeing Flight Ends in Stall After Terrain Encounter (N89219)

Bingham, ME, US

On October 1, 1989, a Cessna 172P (registration N89219) was involved in an aviation accident near Bingham, ME. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING TO ASSURE THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS CAPABLE OF OUTCLIMBING THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN UNDER THE EXISTING WIND AND AIRPLANE WEIGHT CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN AN INTENTIONAL STALL INTO THE TERRAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A local sightseeing flight with the pilot, two adults, and three children ended when the airplane stalled into trees after the pilot shut everything off upon realizing he could not outclimb terrain.

Accident Summary

A local sightseeing flight concluded with the airplane stalling into trees after the pilot shut down all systems. The pilot, two adult passengers, and three children aged 5 to 11 were on board. The incident occurred after the pilot made a left turnout following takeoff. During this maneuver, the airplane was operating on the downwind side of a ridge, where winds were reported at 10 to 15 knots.

Flight Details

The purpose of the flight was sightseeing. The exact weight and balance of the airplane could not be determined. After takeoff, the pilot executed a left turn. Subsequently, he realized that the airplane could not outclimb the surrounding terrain. In response, he shut everything off, leading to a stall and contact with trees.

Circumstances

The pilot's left turnout placed the airplane on the downwind side of a ridge. The wind conditions at that location were 10 to 15 knots. The inability to outclimb the terrain prompted the pilot to shut down the engine and other systems. The airplane then stalled and descended into trees.

Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Oct 1989 Cessna 172P accident near Bingham, ME?

A local sightseeing flight with the pilot, two adults, and three children ended when the airplane stalled into trees after the pilot shut everything off upon realizing he could not outclimb terrain.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Oct 1989 involved a Cessna 172P, registration N89219, at Bingham, ME.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING TO ASSURE THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS CAPABLE OF OUTCLIMBING THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN UNDER THE EXISTING WIND AND AIRPLANE WEIGHT CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN AN INTENTIONAL STALL INTO THE TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE TERRAIN AND WIND CONDITIONS.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29688. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.