Cessna C-152 accident near W. Yellowstone, Montana, August 2, 1991
On August 2, 1991 at about 11:15 pm local time, a Cessna C-152, registered N757PR, was substantially damaged in an accident near W. Yellowstone, Montana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE BY THE PILOT TO CALCULATE AIRCRAFT FUEL COMSUMPTION AND THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT, HIS LACK OF QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE, AND HIS DISORIENTATION DURING THE FLIGHT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 1991 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- W. Yellowstone, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna C-152
- Registration
- N757PR · no longer on the register · serial 15279900
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED ON A X-COUNTRY FLT WHEN HE FLEW OFF HIS AVAILABLE MAPS. HE DID NOT CALCULATE FUEL CONSUMPTION, BELIEVED HE WAS LOW ON FUEL AND ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A PUBLIC ROAD. THE ACFT STRUCK A SIGN ON LANDING ROLL, SWERVED RIGHT AND IMPACTED A GUARD RAIL. ABOUT 9 GALS OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE 26 GALS CAPACITY FUEL TANKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE STU PILOT DID NOT HAVE A REQUIRED INSTR ENDORSEMENT FOR THE FLT.
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: student
- Flight time: 345 hours in all; 15 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SMN Salmon ID at 8:30 pm
- Destination: LVM Livingston MT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.
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.