# NTSB LAX00LA161: Cessna 152, N6251Q, Eureka, CA, April 19, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 2000, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, CA
- Coordinates: 40.800281, -124.1492 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8003&lon=-124.1492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49000/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA161

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind and to maintain directional control during landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - muddy

## Analysis

The pilot stated he lost directional control of the airplane during a crosswind landing.  The airplane departed the left side of the runway into a muddy area, nosed down, and then returned to the main landing gear.

## Factual narrative

On April 19, 2000, at 1320 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N6251Q, veered off runway 29 during a crosswind landing at Murray Field, Eureka, California.  The airplane, operated by Northern Air and rented by the pilot for a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local area flight that departed Murray Field at 1220, and was scheduled to terminate at the airport.  No flight plan was filed.

In an interview with a Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported that he had been practicing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings.  He had done five touch-and-go's before he departed the pattern for the practice area.  About an hour later he returned to the airport to terminate the flight.  He stated that the approach and touchdown were normal with a slight correction for the existing crosswind.  On the landing rollout, the nose wheel touched down and the airplane veered to the left.  The pilot stated that after the left wheel dropped off of the runway, he lost directional control of the airplane.  After the right wheel departed the runway, the airplane became lodged in the mud, where it nosed down, then returned to the main landing gear.  The pilot stated that there were no anomalies noted with the airplane or the braking system.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6251Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6251Q), registered now, S/N 15285211, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15285211
- Airframe hours: 7089
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Northern Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 10, 2000, 83 hours before
- Departed: EKA
- Airport: EKA, Murry Field, runway 29, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACV, 11 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20000419013209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000419013209A), Apr 19, 2000: Cessna 152, Eureka, CA, No damage. (-23) Mr. Bet was returning to Eureka (murry fld) to land after performing 5 touch-n-go's and spending time flying in the practice area. Mr. Bet landed on…

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.

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