# NTSB LAX81FVD15: Cessna 152, N212MB, Novato, CA, March 9, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 9, 1981
- Place: Novato, CA · NOVATO, CA
- Location: 38.0851° N, 122.5483° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Novato, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0851&lon=-122.5483&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 9, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126870
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVD15
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVD15

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0388   81/3/9    NOVATO,CA           CESSNA 152          CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 18, 38 TOTAL
        TIME - 1500                    N212MB              PX-  0  0  0  TRAINING                  HOURS, UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - GNOSS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NAPA,CA                     NOVATO,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - OTHER
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- FORCED LDG ON MUD FLAT.MIXTURE CTL FD 2/3 OUT TOWARD FULL CUTOFF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N212MB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N212MB), registered now, S/N 15279920, 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Gnoss

## 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 19810309010619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810309010619A), Mar 9, 1981: Cessna 152, Novato, CA, Substantial damage. Forgot to enrich mixture for landing. Engine quit due to lean mixture. Landed short of airport in a swamp.

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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