Cessna 402C accident near Provincetown, Massachusetts, February 2, 1988
On February 2, 1988 at about 3:08 pm local time, a Cessna 402C, registered N29PB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Provincetown, Massachusetts (Provincetown Muni airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 2, 1988 · about 3:08 pm local time
- Place
- Provincetown, Massachusetts · Provincetown Muni
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 402C · all 402Cs on the register
- Registration
- N29PB · no longer on the register · serial 402C-0257
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE CESSNA 402C WAS BEING POSITIONED FOR A SCHEDULED COMMUTER FLIGHT WITH ONLY A PILOT ON BOARD. THE PILOT MADE AN ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 7 WITH WINDS FROM 220 DEGREES AT 14 KNOTS, THE RUNWAY WET AND LIGHT RAIN FALLING. THE AIRCRAFT SLID OFF THE END OF THE 3498 FT LONG RUNWAY RECEIVING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK A CEMENT BLOCK. THE FAA REPORTED THAT BOTH MAIN WHEELS SHOWED SIGNS OF REVERTED RUBBER HYDROPLANING.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,651 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 2,600 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 6,350 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Provincetown Boston Airlines
The flight
- Departed from: HYA Hyannis MA at 2:55 pm
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 7, 3,498 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 3:10 pm from PVC
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N29PB the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.