- Date
- May 6, 2003, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place
- Pala, CA
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N48796Cessna 152
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 1, 2004
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20030506012619A
- Case key
- 56969
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the dual student's delay in executing the proper recovery procedures and improper retraction of the flaps, the CFI's inadequate supervision during the recovery to normal flight, the CFI's delayed remedial action, and the failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall-mush and collision with trees.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The airplane collided with trees near a rock quarry while practicing a simulated engine out forced landing procedure. When the certified flight instructor (CFI) called for a termination of the maneuver the pilot under instruction (PUI) delayed executing the proper go-around procedures. The student left the flaps at the 30-degree position, and the airspeed got slow enough to activate the stall warning horn. The CFI called for the flaps to 20 degrees and to maintain airspeed. The CFI then called for flaps 10 degrees, but the student retracted them to 0 degrees. The airplane entered an excessive sink rate, and the CFI was unable to recover before the airplane impacted trees.
Factual narrative
On May 6, 2003, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N48796, collided with trees and terrain while practicing emergency procedures near Pala, California. Pinnacle Aviation Services, Inc., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) pilot and the private pilot under instruction (PUI) sustained minor injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. The local instructional flight departed Carlsbad, California, about 1000. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 33 degrees 23.0 minutes north latitude and 117 degrees 03.0 minutes west longitude.
The CFI reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice emergency procedures. In the area of a rock quarry, they were performing a simulated engine out procedure. When the CFI called for a termination of the maneuver, he said that the PUI delayed in executing the proper go-around procedures. The PUI left the flaps at the 30-degree position, and the airspeed got slow enough to activate the stall warning horn. The CFI called for the flaps to 20 degrees and to "maintain airspeed." The CFI then called for flaps to 10 degrees, but the PUI mistakenly retracted them to 0 degrees. The airplane established a sink rate, and the CFI was unable to recover before the airplane impacted trees.
The airplane came to rest approximately 50 yards from a dirt road. The airplane was destroyed during the impact sequence.
Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the wreckage at the accident scene. They noted no pre-impact discrepancies with the airframe or the engine.
The CFI and the PUI reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N48796
- Reported as
- Cessna 152
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15283377
- Airframe hours
- 3,940
- Engine
- Lycoming O-235-L2C, 110 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Pinnacle Aviation Services Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · April 21, 2003 · 28 hours before
- Departed
- CRQ · Carlsbad, CA
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew · 2
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Flight instructor
- Age
- 47
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Last flight review
- August 15, 2002
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 4,500 total · 2,000 in this make and model · 3,700 as pilot in command · 200 in the last 90 days · 100 in the last 30 days · 15 in the last 24 hours
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 32
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Last flight review
- September 19, 2002
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 216 total · 131 in this make and model · 155 as pilot in command · 64 in the last 90 days · 30 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 3,300 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.97 inHg
- Observed at
- CRQ, 15 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.