# Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 152

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 6 · 270 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR25FA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA233.md): Cessna 152 · Hornell, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 1, 2025 · N6125B · Destroyed
  > On August 1, 2025, about 1859 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6125B was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hornell, New York. The student pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part…
- [NTSB WPR22FA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA309.md): Cessna 152 · Watsonville, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 18, 2022 · N49931 · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot of the multi-engine airplane to see and avoid the single-engine airplane while performing a straight-in approach for landing.
- [NTSB WPR22FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA227.md): Cessna 152 · Mendon, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 24, 2022 · N934JH · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to recover from a developed spin, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s decision to enter the maneuver below the operator’s altitude limitation.
- [NTSB CEN22FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA214.md): Cessna 152 · Wauwatosa, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 26, 2022 · N4978B · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a stall from which the student pilot could not recover.
- [NTSB ERA21FA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA274.md): Cessna 152 · St. Augustine, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 29, 2021 · N25513 · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the landing approach.
- [NTSB WPR19FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA095.md): North American T28 · Compton, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 14, 2019 · N5440F · 2 aircraft · Minor damage
  > The failure of the T-28 pilot to see and avoid the Cessna while landing with reduced visibility due to sun glare, which resulted in a collision on the runway. Contributing to the accident was his failure to use the airport's common traffic advisory frequency…
- [NTSB CEN18FA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA277.md): Cessna 152 · Fort Rice, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jul 17, 2018 · N24515 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat in conditions that were conducive to serious carburetor icing, which resulted in a loss of engine power, an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the…
- [NTSB WPR18FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA075.md): Cessna 152 · Concord, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 29, 2018 · N93316 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB WPR18FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA035.md): Cessna 152 · Tehachapi, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 2017 · N24987 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of situational awareness shortly after takeoff over a sparsely lit area in dark night conditions, which resulted in a rapid descent to ground impact.
- [NTSB ERA17FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA231.md): Cessna 152 · Homestead, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2017 · N49453 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in night conditions over an area devoid of ground reference lights.
- [NTSB WPR16FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA002.md): Cessna 152 · Cedar City, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 2015 · N6449M · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilots to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall from which they did not recover.
- [NTSB CEN15FA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA189.md): Cessna 152 · Batesville, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 2, 2015 · N65463 · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's controlled flight into terrain due to an inadvertent encounter with clouds in dark night conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly at night in marginal visual meteorological conditions without the…
- [NTSB ERA15FA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA099.md): Cessna 152 · New Smyrna Beach, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 2015 · N757ZM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while operating under visual flight rules (VFR) in night, instrument meteorological conditions, likely due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the outcome was the radar controller's failure to…
- [NTSB CEN14FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA057.md): Cessna 152 · Spring, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 2013 · N555UF · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain airspeed following a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN13FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA214.md): Cessna 152 · Hawley, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 29, 2013 · N5367B · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s improper decision to conduct a flight into known instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR13FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA118.md): Cessna 152 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 8, 2013 · N89059 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incapacitation due to his preexisting cardiac disease, which resulted in his degraded or complete loss of ability to control the airplane.
- [NTSB ERA11FA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA332.md): Cessna 152 · Vero Beach, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2011 · N48869 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent spin.
- [NTSB WPR10FA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA325.md): Cessna 152 · Venice, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2010 · N94838 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and subsequent impact with the ground.
- [NTSB WPR09FA437](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA437.md): Cessna 152 · Coolidge, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2009 · N94741 · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of both safety/spotter pilots to see and avoid the other airplane.
- [NTSB WPR09FA398](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA398.md): Cessna 152 · Hesperia, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2009 · N67361 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Also causal was the failure of the left magneto due to improper assembly of the drive gear during installation on the…
- [NTSB ERA09LA413](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA413.md): Cessna 152 · Ponce, PR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2009 · N5518P · Destroyed
  > The airplane’s impact with water for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR09LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA040.md): Cessna 152 · Atwater, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2008 · N45994 · No damage
  > The second pilot's failure to see and avoid the rotating propeller after exiting the airplane.
- [NTSB NYC08FA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA238.md): Cessna 152 · Rossville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 2008 · N5372B · Destroyed
  > Undetermined.
- [NTSB LAX08LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA211.md): Cessna 152 · Piru, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2008 · N25490 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB NYC08FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA054.md): Piper PA-30 · Parkland, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 2007 · N766CC · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > Both pilots' failure to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the accident were the erroneous readouts from the Cessna's altitude encoder.
- [NTSB LAX06FA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA200.md): Cessna 152 · Peoria, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2006 · N627PA · Substantial damage
  > the failure of both the flight instructor and student pilot to regain control of the airplane in a timely manner during an intentional spin maneuver, resulting in a collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was the instructor's inadequate supervision…
- [NTSB LAX05FA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA296.md): Cessna 152 · Lakewood, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 2005 · N6565L · Destroyed
  > the certified flight instructor's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed resulting in a stall and loss of control. Also causal was the engine's loss of partial power due to inadequate maintenance, worn spark plugs, worn pistons, and broken piston rings.
- [NTSB NYC05FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05FA069.md): Cessna 152 · Williamsburg, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 2005 · N24779 · Substantial damage
  > An improperly installed rudder bumper, which resulted in a rudder jam during spin training and subsequent uncontrolled descent into terrain. A factor was the operator did not comply with the service bulletin.
- [NTSB CHI03FA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA320.md): Cessna 152 · Three Oaks, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 2003 · N25787 · Destroyed
  > The pilot not maintaining adequate airspeed resulting in a stall during takeoff. Contributing factors were the buzzing flight and trees.
- [NTSB FTW03FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA086.md): Cessna 152 · Norman, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 21, 2003 · N47257 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, resulting in an inadvertent stall. Factors contributing to the accident were the low altitude and the prevailing high winds.
- [NTSB FTW03FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA037.md): Cessna 152 · Justin, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 2002 · N4835B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall.
- [NTSB FTW02FA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02FA233.md): Cessna 152 · Ithaca, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2002 · N49998 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional flight of the airplane into terrain in an act of suicide.
- [NTSB LAX02FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02FA059.md): Cessna 152 · Petaluma, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 2002 · N24223 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional flight of the airplane into terrain in an act of suicide.
- [NTSB MIA02FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02FA032.md): Cessna 152 · Poplarville, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2001 · N89645 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's becoming lost and disoriented and his failure to maintain control of the airplane while flying over an unpopulated area on a dark night, which was the result of spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident was the pilot's consuming alcoholic…
- [NTSB NYC02FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02FA009.md): Cessna 152 · Middlefield, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 2001 · N94567 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Factors in the accident were the dark night, rising terrain, and clouds.
- [NTSB FTW01FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01FA188.md): Cessna 152 · Weatherford, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 2001 · N4755B · Destroyed
  > The student pilot's improper decision making in that he landed with a tailwind and failed to execute a go-around, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing factors were the inaccurate reading of the left fuel gage as a result of improper maintenance by…
- [NTSB NYC01FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01FA102.md): Cessna 152 · La Grange, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 19, 2001 · N95655 · Destroyed
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering the airplane at low altitude. A factor was the pilot's overconfidence in his abilities.
- [NTSB LAX01FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA101.md): Cessna 152 · Long Beach, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 15, 2001 · N68763 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The failure of the flight crews of both airplanes to maintain adequate visual lookout for traffic.
- [NTSB CHI01FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01FA085.md): Cessna 152 · Horicon, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 10, 2001 · N5085P · Destroyed
  > the inadvertent stall/spin. Additional factors included the aerobatic manuevers, low altitude, and the procedures not followed.
- [NTSB FTW01FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01FA058.md): Cessna 152 · Platter, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 2001 · N114SS · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > the failure of both pilots to maintain a visual lookout, which resulted in a mid-air collision over a lake. A contributing factor to the accident was the sun glare from the setting sun.
- [NTSB SEA01FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01FA015.md): Cessna 152 · Corvallis, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2000 · N53301 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors include a dark night, densely forested, hilly terrain near the planned route of flight, and low ceilings in the area of the accident.
- [NTSB LAX01FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA024.md): Cessna 152 · Alpine, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 2000 · N24961 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB FTW00FA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00FA268.md): Cessna 152 · Navasota, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 2000 · N5357M · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Contributory factors were the clouds, dark night light conditions, the pilot's lack of total instrument flight time, and the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete the…
- [NTSB MIA00FA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00FA201.md): Cessna 152 · Murfreesboro, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 2000 · N89043 · Destroyed
  > the flight instructor's failure to maintain an airspeed above the aircraft's stall speed, which resulted in a stall/mush, and an inflight loss of control while maneuvering to return to a landing area during an emergency, resulting in an uncontrolled descent…
- [NTSB CHI00FA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00FA180.md): Cessna 152 · Brownton, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 2000 · N757SL · Destroyed
  > In flight collision with the terrain for undetermined reason.
- [NTSB DEN00FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00FA118.md): Cessna 152 · Karval, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 2000 · N46935 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadvertent flight into the clouds, and his becoming spatially disorientated.
- [NTSB LAX00FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00FA209.md): Cessna 152 · Palm Springs, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 31, 2000 · N5538M · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot/flight instructor to maintain sufficient airspeed to prevent the aircraft stalling and spinning. Factors in the accident were terrain induced windshear and sudden wind shift and the pilot/flight instructor's lack of total experience.
- [NTSB FTW00FA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00FA154.md): Cessna 152 · Noble, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 25, 2000 · N45973 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > the failure of both pilots to maintain visual lookout.
- [NTSB LAX00FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00FA171.md): Cessna 152 · Austin, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 25, 2000 · N67435 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to attempt flight in an area of high rising mountainous terrain at an inadequate altitude, which resulted in an impact during a turn to reverse direction. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in mountain flying…
- [NTSB DEN00FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00FA067.md): Cessna 152 · Roswell, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2000 · N6251B · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and the subsequent inadvertent stall/spin. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention to over flying her residence.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=2071835&fatal=1&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2071835'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=2071835

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