# NTSB LAX02LA154: Cessna 152, N67975, Sacramento, CA, May 8, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 2002, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Sacramento, CA - Coordinates: 38.5125, -121.493614 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5125&lon=-121.4936&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 54660 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54660/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54660 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA154 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to ensure the seat was set properly prior to engine start, and not using the parking brake when adjustment of seat was necessary, which resulted in the inadvertent deactivation of the brakes and subsequent collision with the fuel trucks. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - object - vehicle - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - parking brakes - not used, pilot in command (cause) - brakes(normal) - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane collided with two parked fuel trucks while taxiing for takeoff. The pilot stated that she started the airplane after fueling it and was holding the brakes. She felt like she needed to move her seat forward slightly and grabbed the dash with one hand while releasing the seat lock with the other. The seat then slid all the way back on the tracks and her feet were now off the pedals. The airplane began to move forward and she could not reach the pedals and her passenger, who had no prior flight experience, tried to push on the bottoms of the pedals instead of the tops to activate the brakes. Before the pilot could take further remedial actions, the airplane taxied into two parked fuel trucks. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 2002, about 1415 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N67975, collided with two parked fuel trucks while taxiing for takeoff at the Sacramento Executive Airport, Sacramento, California. Executive Flyers, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and rented by the pilot. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area personal flight and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement given by the pilot, she stated that she started the airplane after fueling it and was holding the brakes. She felt like she needed to move her seat forward slightly and grabbed the dash with one hand while releasing the seat lock with the other. The seat then slid all the way back on the tracks and her feet were now off the pedals. The airplane began to move forward and she could not reach the pedals and her passenger, who had no prior flight experience, tried to push on the bottoms of the pedals instead of the tops to activate the brakes. Before the pilot could take further remedial actions, the airplane taxied into two parked fuel trucks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67975](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67975-2002-08-27), registration cancelled 2002-08-27, S/N 15282122, built 1978 (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: L-12810-15 - Airframe hours: 9888 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Executive Flyers, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 2002, 78 hours before - Departed: KSAC, Sacramento, CA - Destination: Sacramento, CA - Airport: KSAC, Sacramento Executive ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Co-pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 25, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 85 total, 85 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KSAC ## 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 20020508010699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020508010699A), May 8, 2002: Cessna 152, Sacramento, CA, No damage. (-23) The pilot had finished refueling the aircraft before flight. She started the engine and proceeded to adjust the seat. The seat moved full aft and the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 29, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54660. 458 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 335 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436596&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436597&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather (item 3, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40169232&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather-Master.PDF 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.