# NTSB LAX83FA298: Cessna 152, N5454B, Pacoima, CA, June 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1983, 20:26 local (Jun 24, 1983, 03:26 UTC)
- Place: Pacoima, CA
- Coordinates: 34.249984, -118.410682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2500&lon=-118.4107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23467
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA298
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23467/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA298

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED MANEUVERING IN THE AREA OF THE ARPT TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR ABOUT 45 MIN BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED WITH POWER LINES ABOUT 1/2 MI SOUTHWEST OF THE ARPT WHILE THE ACFT WAS ON A HEADING OF ABOUT 320 DEG. THE ACFT THEN STRUCK A POWER POLE, SEPARATING ITS LEFT WING. AFTER TRAVELING ANOTHER 66 YARDS, IT COLLIDED WITH TREES, 2 FENCES & THE FRONT PORTION OF A RESIDENCE BEFORE COMING TO REST. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5454B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5454B-1983-11-17), registration cancelled 1983-11-17, S/N 15283873 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283873
- Airframe hours: 560
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: August F. Odom
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1982, 29 hours before
- Departed: WHIP
- Airport: WHP, Whiteman

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,750 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BUR, 4 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 19830623028389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830623028389A), Jun 23, 1983: Cessna 152, Pacoima, CA, Destroyed. Struck wires, trees and a residence after maneuvering erratically at treetop height in area of the airport.

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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