# NTSB LAX08CA037: Cessna 152, N64994, Turlock, CA, October 31, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 30, 2007, 17:45 local (Oct 31, 2007, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Turlock, CA
- Coordinates: 37.483612, -120.691665
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4836&lon=-120.6917&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67218
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67218/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA037

## Probable cause

The pilot's delayed decision to abort the landing, which resulted in a runway overrun.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - aborted
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - short runway/landing area
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during an attempted touch-and-go landing, he landed the airplane from a forward slip at a higher airspeed than normal.  He was then momentarily uncertain about whether or not to continue the landing or to abort.  After a short period of indecision he elected to try and do a full stop landing. The pilot attempted to turn off the runway at the departure end, but was traveling too fast to make the turn onto the taxiway and the airplane ran off the end of the pavement and into a ditch.  The accident occurred on October 30, 2007, and the airplane sustained what appeared to be minor damage.  In December 2007, after removal of the cowling, it was discovered that the firewall had been damaged during the accident.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during an attempted touch-and-go landing, he landed the airplane from a forward slip at a higher airspeed than normal.  He was then momentarily uncertain about whether or not to continue the landing or to abort.  After a short period of indecision he elected to try and do a full stop. The pilot attempted to turn off the runway at the departure end, but was traveling too fast to make the turn onto the taxiway and the airplane ran off the end of the pavement and into a ditch.

The accident occurred on October 30, 2007, and the airplane sustained what appeared to be minor damage.  In December 2007, after removal of the cowling, it was discovered that the firewall had been damaged during the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64994](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64994-2009-06-23), registration cancelled 2009-06-23, S/N 15281519, 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: 15281519
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: American School of Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MER, MERCED, CA
- Destination: MER, MERCED, CA
- Airport: O15, Turlock Muni, runway 30, 2,985 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 83 total, 15 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: MOD, 9 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 20071030827949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071030827949A), Oct 30, 2007: Cessna 152, Turlock, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) After conducting a normal landing and takeoff the pilot attempted a no-flap, forward slip to landing. He landed with excess airspeed at approximately…

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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