Cessna 150 and Cessna 152 accident near Pullman, Washington, October 17, 1985
On October 17, 1985 at about 11:30 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 150 (N3231V) and Cessna 152 (N4702A), were involved in the same accident near Pullman, Washington (Pullman airport). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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 12, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 17, 1985 · about 11:30 pm local time · cases in 1985
- Place
- Pullman, Washington · Pullman · cases near this airport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 150 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N3231V · registry record · serial 15076431
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N4702A · no longer on the register · serial A1520872
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 150 final · quoted from the NTSB record
BEFORE THE PILOT USED THE RUNWAY AT AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT SHE FAILED TO LOOK FOR AND OBSERVE THE LANDING TRAFFIC. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A COMMUNICATIONS RADIO. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST TAKEOFF OF THE DAY AND HAD PLANNED ON MAKING SEVERAL TOUCH AND GOES. DURING TAKEOFF THE PILOT HEARD A 'CRUNCH' BUT WAS UNAWARE OF THE LANDING AIRCRAFT'S PROPELLER STRIKE WHICH SLICED OFF 40% OF THE VERTICAL STABILIXER AND RUDDER. A NORMAL TRAFFIC PATTERN WAS FLOWN WITH A SUCCESSFUL LANDING.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 152 final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF THE LANDING AIRCRAFT FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID THE DEPARTING AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE DEPARTING AIRCRAFTS VERTICAL STABILIZER AND RUDDER WITH THE PROPELLER.APPROXIMATELY 40% OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER AND RUDDER SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE PROPELLER STRIKE.
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 for the Cessna 150 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 16 hours in all; 2 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PUW Pullman WA at 11:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 6,731 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 152 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 12 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 2 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Unknown (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PUW Pullman WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 6,371 ft by 100 ft
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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N3231V on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Cessna 150 7,992 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Cessna 72,683 aircraft on the register
- N4702A: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Cessna 152 1,636 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Cessna 72,683 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Continental O-200-A 296 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C 84 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Pullman/Moscow Regional · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Washington 2,709 since 1982 · 358 in the last ten years
- Washington 10,572 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/SEA86LA014.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.