# Accident 20081115854399A: Cessna 152, Merced, CA, November 15, 2008

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 15, 2008, 17:55 local time
- Place: Merced, CA
- Airport: Castle
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Taxi
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.3803° N, 120.5681° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3803&lon=-120.5681&mi=10
- Aircraft: N45994, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45994-2018-04-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 152 (registry code 2071835, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-235 series (registry code 41505, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 68 total, 68 in this make and model, 68 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR09LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA040) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081115854399A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE AIRCRAFT WAS DISPATCHED TO THE PIC AT 2PM LOCAL TIME.  THE PIC TALKED HIS ROOMMATE INTO FLYING WITH HIM ON A “SOLO” X-COUNTRY FLIGHT.  AT THE DESTINATION, VISALIA MUNI, VISALIA, CA, THE TWO SWAPPED SEATS AT THE PIC’S INSISTENCE, AS THE PIC WANTED TO EXPERIENCE FLYING FROM THE RIGHT SEAT AS AN INSTRUCTOR.  UPON RETURNING TO THE ORIGINATING AIRPORT, CASTLE, MERCED, CA, THE PIC IN THE RIGHT SEAT SAW A FUEL TRUCK APPROACHING SO STOPPED THE AIRPLANE SHORT OF ITS NORMAL PARKING SPOT, AND TOLD HIS ROOMMATE TO TAXI THE PLANE TO PARKING.  HE THEN EXITED THE AIRPLANE SO THE FUEL TRUCK DRIVER WOULDN’T CATCH THE TWO OF THEM IN THE PLANE AT THE SAME TIME.  HE THEN RAN QUICKLY FORWARD INTO THE TURNING PROPELLER CAUSING HIS DEATH.  HE MAY NOT HAVE SEEN THE PROPELLER AS IT WAS DARK BY THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR09LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA040), Nov 16, 2008: Cessna 152 (N45994), Atwater, CA, no damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The second pilot's failure to see and avoid the rotating propeller after exiting the airplane.

## Other reports on N45994 (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19890914065909I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890914065909I), Sep 14, 1989: Cessna 152 (N45994), Daytona Beach, FL. Engine quit. Unable to restart. Returned and landed on grass near runway. Lead flakes clogged nozzle in carburetor.
- [Accident 19870625027059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870625027059A), Jun 25, 1987: Cessna 152 (N45994), Dothan, AL, Substantial damage. Landed long. Bounced. Hard landing. High and fast on final. Nose gear collapsed. Stopped on nose and main gear.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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