# NTSB investigations: Cessna 152: In flight collision with terrain/water 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 2 · 76 cases ## Latest cases - [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 ATL02LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA014.md): Cessna 152 · Elberton, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 2001 · N93550 · Substantial damage > The student pilot's in-flight decision to land in a field, which resulted in an on-ground collision with a berm. Factors were the student's inadequate training and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor on the ground. - [NTSB CHI01LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA148.md): Cessna 152 · Patriot, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 27, 2001 · N6154Q · Substantial damage > the inadequate rotation speed and compensation for wind conditions by the pilot. Contributing factors were the crosswind and gust. - [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 FTW01LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA045.md): Cessna 152 · Bristow, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 4, 2001 · N68472 · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions, which resulted in the airplane striking a snow bank during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor was the crosswind weather condition. - [NTSB CHI01LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA054.md): Cessna 152 · Sturtevant, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 27, 2000 · N757DX · Substantial damage > The unsuitable terrain for landing selected by the student pilot, the inadequate initial training by the flight instructor, and the flight instructor's decision to send the student pilot on a solo flight in known adverse weather conditions. Factors to the… - [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 CHI99LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA249.md): Cessna 152 · Berrien Springs, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 1999 · N95534 · Substantial damage > Failure to obtain a proper climb rate and the delayed remedial action by the certified flight instructor. Contributing factors were the uphill terrain and trees. - [NTSB LAX99FA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99FA129.md): Cessna 152 · Rancho Cucamong, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 1999 · N67821 · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from mountainous terrain for unknown reasons. - [NTSB LAX99LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA002.md): Cessna 152 · San Jose, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 1998 · N957AF · Destroyed > Continued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) at night over mountainous terrain. The pilot's use of unclear language when stating his intentions to air traffic control was a factor. - [NTSB LAX98FA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA312.md): Cessna 152 · Avalon, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 1998 · N49770 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance. Contributing to the accident were the hilly and mountainous terrain and glare from the setting sun. - [NTSB SEA98LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA135.md): Cessna 152 · Miltonfreewater, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 1998 · N24823 · Substantial damage > The pilots failure to maintain proper terrain clearance. Factors contributing to the accident are high density altitude and rising terrain. - [NTSB CHI98LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA060.md): Cessna 152 · Waukegan, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 1997 · N68318 · Substantial damage > the pilot's not identifying unsuitable terrain (snowbank) in the landing area, and his not selecting the proper touchdown point. A factor was the snowbank. - [NTSB LAX97FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA148.md): Cessna 152 · S. Lake Tahoe, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 1997 · N64845 · Destroyed > The pilot's collision with mountainous terrain due to his failure to follow published high density altitude departure procedures during climb out, and route selection which exceeded the airplane's maximum climb performance specifications. Also causal was the… - [NTSB LAX96FA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA244.md): Cessna 152 · Carmel, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 1996 · N6198P · Destroyed > The pilot becoming lost and disoriented during a night VFR flight in marginal weather conditions. Factors in the accident were: the pilot's lack of night flying experience, his failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, low ceilings, and his failure to… - [NTSB CHI96LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA180.md): Cessna 152 · Eau Claire, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 30, 1996 · N94647 · Destroyed > the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. A factor relating to the accident was: the student pilot's improper flare. - [NTSB SEA96FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96FA022.md): Cessna 152 · Provo, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 21, 1995 · N6392Q · Destroyed > pilot suicide (intentional in-flight collision with rising terrain). A factor relating to the accident was: pilot anxiety/apprehension. - [NTSB SEA95LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA163.md): Cessna 152 · Wellsville, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 1995 · N588BR · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. Factors in the accident were the pilot's lack of experience with flying in mountainous terrain and the high density altitude. - [NTSB LAX95FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95FA243.md): Cessna 152 · Miramar, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 1995 · N757JP · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude (or clearance) above the terrain, while attempting to perform VFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Factors relating to the accident were: darkness and the adverse weather conditions. - [NTSB ATL95LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA121.md): Cessna 152 · Juliette, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 1995 · N5523B · Substantial damage > The pilot's ostentatious display, resulting in a collision with the water. - [NTSB LAX95LA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA179.md): Cessna 152 · Palos Verdes, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 28, 1995 · N49058 · Destroyed > that the pilot initiated the flight into known adverse weather, and inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions. - [NTSB BFO95LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA036.md): Cessna 152 · Oakland, MD · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 26, 1995 · N757JQ · Destroyed > the student pilot's abrupt remedial action during the aborted landing attempt. Related factors are the student pilot's lack of total experience, inadequate airspeed and the low altitude. - [NTSB SEA95LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA035.md): Cessna 152 · Lehi, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 1994 · N24741 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance above the terrain. Factors include the pilot inadvertently becoming lost/disoriented, his improper inflight decision to attempt to maneuver through unfamiliar mountainous terrain to his original destination,… - [NTSB ATL95FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95FA013.md): Cessna 152 · Dresden, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 1994 · N24834 · Destroyed > The pilot in command's (CFI) impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol and drugs, which led to his failure to maintain separation from terrain. - [NTSB SEA94LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA032.md): Cessna 152 · Seattle, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 1993 · N5366M · Substantial damage > The student pilot failed to flare. His diverted attention was a factor. - [NTSB ATL93LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA161.md): Cessna 152 · Greensboro, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 1993 · N4794B · Substantial damage > The student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the touch and go landing. Factors were the crosswind conditions, and the hidden obstruction (rock) in the grass adjacent to the runway. - [NTSB MIA93LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA089.md): Cessna 152 · La Belle, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 1993 · N94187 · Substantial damage > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the student pilot, and inadequate supervision of the flight by the instructor pilot (CFI). Factors related to the accident were: the tailwind, and the student pilot's improper flare and transition to an aborted landing,… - [NTSB NYC93LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA045.md): Cessna 152 · Quaker Street, NY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 1992 · N46725 · Substantial damage > The failure of the pilot to determine runway conditions prior to landing which resulted in the airplane being damaged upon touchdown on the snow covered runway. - [NTSB MIA93FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93FA009.md): Cessna 152 · New Port Richey, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 1992 · N757SM · Destroyed > Loss of control inflight by the pilot for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB LAX92FA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA236.md): Cessna 152 · Sylmar, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 5, 1992 · N701KA · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to adequately judge and evaluate the weather conditions and his improper in-flight decision to fly close to clouds. These acts led to his entering IMC and becoming lost and disoriented. - [NTSB FTW92LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA039.md): Cessna 152 · Las Cruces, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 1991 · N4628Q · Substantial damage > The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's performance which led to a situation where it could not climb above the rising terrain. A factor was the high density altitude which existed in the mountains at the time of the accident. - [NTSB FTW91DRD08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRD08.md): Cessna 152 · Ruston, LA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 11, 1991 · N93621 · Substantial damage > The cfi's exceeding the airplane's takeoff performance capability. - [NTSB NYC91FA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA196.md): Cessna 152 · New Paltz, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1991 · N6494Q · Destroyed > Failure of the instructor pilot (CFI) to assure that the proper altitude was maintained. A factor related to the accident was: the cfi's lack of experience in the type of operation. - [NTSB SEA91LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA177.md): Cessna 152 · Walla Walla, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 1991 · N48965 · Substantial damage > The student pilot's poor compensation for wind conditions. Factors were downdrafts and the student pilots lack of experience in this type of operation. - [NTSB CHI91LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA015.md): Cessna 152 · Hannibal, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 1990 · N24359 · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. Factors were: excessive airspeed and the pilot's lack of total experience. - [NTSB CHI90LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA271.md): Cessna 152 · Lakeville, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 1990 · N89038 · Substantial damage > The pilot in command attempting to force the airplane onto the runway. - [NTSB CHI90LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA138.md): Cessna 152 · Bad Axe, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 28, 1990 · N4754B · Substantial damage > Failure of the pilot to abort the takeoff with sufficient runway to stop the aircraft. Contributing to the accident is a lack of total flying experience. - [NTSB LAX90LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA102.md): Cessna 152 · Lake Elsinore, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 24, 1990 · N67558 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout. - [NTSB CHI90LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA011.md): Cessna 152 · Hillsdale, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 1989 · N757GB · Destroyed > Poor judgement of the student pilot by not following his flight instructor's directions on his first supervised solo flight and by not maintaining a safe altitude, which resulted in a collision with the terrain. Related factors were: unauthorized low flight… - [NTSB LAX89FA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA334.md): Cessna 152 · Lancaster, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 1989 · N6422M · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to enter into IMC while flying under VFR. Factors contributing to accident were: low ceilings, poor planning and decisions, failure to obtain a preflight briefing and not performing a weather evaluation. - [NTSB MIA89FA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA252.md): Cessna 152 · Ochopee, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1989 · N47009 · Destroyed > Failure of the pilot to maintain altitude/clearance over the terrain. Related factors were: dark night, spatial disorientation of the pilot, and his lack of experience in the type of operation (night flying). - [NTSB SEA89LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA147.md): Cessna 152 · Mollala, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1989 · N95099 · Substantial damage > Pilot displayed poor judgement and did not adequately plan for the flight. The pilot was unfamiliar with the area and terrain conditions. As a result, the airplane was not able to attain sufficient altitude for the conditions to clear the terrain. - [NTSB LAX89LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA258.md): Cessna 152 · Fremont, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1989 · N5298B · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper inflight decison to land on an unlighted runway during the hours of darkness. Darkness and the lack of runway lights were related factors. - [NTSB LAX89FA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA229.md): Cessna 152 · Cordes, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 1989 · N5199Q · Destroyed > The pilot misjudged his altitude, while maneuvering at low altitude over mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: high density altitude, mountainous terrain, and diversion of the pilot's attention. - [NTSB ANC89LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA015.md): Cessna 152 · Nenana, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1988 · N48943 · Substantial damage > The instructor pilot was demonstrating a soft-field landing to his student pilot when he flared the airplane too high, and allowed the crosswind to carry the airplane off the left side of the runway where it hit a runway light and a snow berm, then nosed… - [NTSB NYC88LA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA241.md): Cessna 152 · Millbrook, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 1988 · N94228 · Destroyed > The private plt-in-command was seated in the right seat and his commercial plt-pax was seated in the left seat. The plt in command was at the controls. The acft was on final apch. The plt said the wind was from 170 deg. He did not give the wind velocity. He… - [NTSB FTW88FA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA151.md): Cessna 152 · Bushland, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 1988 · N5351M · Destroyed > There were no witnesses to this accident. The airplane impacted the terrain at high speed, in a near wings level, 75 degree nose down attitude. No preimpact problems were found with the airplane or powerplant. Airplane was over weight and had an aft CG at… - [NTSB CHI88LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA113.md): Cessna 152 · Nauvoo, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 12, 1988 · N757ZY · Destroyed > The pilot was making a 'fast low approach' to a private airstrip near his home when he realized he was coming too close to a row of trees. The pilot stated he became so preoccupied with trying not to hit the trees that he did not notice how close the aircraft… - [NTSB ATL88LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA140.md): Cessna 152 · Center Village, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 1988 · N5089P · Substantial damage > The CFI attempted to demonstrate a short-field takeoff to his student, with a tailwind. He reported believing at the time that a light cross-wind/quartering tailwind was blowing. He elected to depart from rwy 27, because rwy 09 had utility wires at the… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=2071835&occurrence=230&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."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2071835') AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 230)) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=2071835&occurrence=230 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.