# NTSB LAX00LA194: Cessna 152, N25213, Borrego Springs, CA, May 15, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 15, 2000, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Borrego Springs, CA - Coordinates: 33.169456, -116.269248 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1695&lon=-116.2692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49175 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49175/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA194 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition during initial takeoff climb, which resulted a failure to maintain alignment and the airplane drifting into a nearby tree. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot encountered a crosswind during takeoff from an open dirt field. The pilot stated that he failed to correct for the crosswind and allowed the airplane to drift about 100 feet off course until impacting a tree. Prior to the flight, sheriff's officers had noted that the pilot had landed on a public road. The pilot reported to them that he had landed on the road as it was conveniently located near his business. The officers reported that for safety and other reasons, they would not authorize the pilot to depart from the road. In response, the pilot moved the rented airplane into the adjacent open field, which he believed was adequate for his departure. ## Factual narrative On May 15, 2000, about 1300 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N25213, owned and operated by Bermuda Air Service, Inc., collided with a tree during initial climb from an open field about 2 miles north of the uncontrolled Borrego Valley Airport, Borrego Springs, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight that was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap. According to responding sheriff's officers, earlier during the day the pilot had made an unauthorized landing on a public road. The pilot reported that he had previously landed on the road as it was conveniently located near his business. The officers reported that for safety and other reasons, they would not authorize the pilot to depart from the road. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that, in response to information conveyed by the officers, he moved the rented airplane into an adjacent open dirt field, which he believed was adequate for his departure. The pilot owned the field, and after taking off he planned to fly to the Borrego Valley Airport. The pilot further reported that all airplane systems functioned normally, and he attempted to make a soft field takeoff with the wing flaps extended to the 10-degree position. Seconds after becoming airborne, a 5- to 15-knot wind gust pushed him slightly off course. The pilot further reported that he "failed to correct for the crosswind, allowing the plane to drift right approximately 100 feet . . . " Thereafter, the airplane impacted a tree and came to rest upside down in the field. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25213](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25213-2001-12-10), registration cancelled 2001-12-10, S/N 15280532, built 1977 (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: 15280532 - Airframe hours: 10587 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bermuda Air Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 2000, 49 hours before - Destination: L08, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 188 total, 30 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 203 °F, dew point 104 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TRM, 17 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 20000515006729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000515006729A), May 15, 2000: Cessna 152, Borrego Springs, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot elected to land on public road for the sole purpose of accessing private property. After local law enforcement personnel forbid him from departing… 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. --- 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.