# NTSB LAX83FA373: Cessna 152, N6539L, Fullerton, CA, August 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1983, 20:26 local (Aug 6, 1983, 03:26 UTC)
- Place: Fullerton, CA
- Location: 33.8814° N, 118.0128° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from FULLERTON MUNI (FUL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8814&lon=-118.0128&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23484
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA373
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23484/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA373

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, climb - to cruise
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - not received, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Midair collision, cruise - normal
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - not received, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

N6539L, A CESSNA 152, AND N1172H A PIPER PA-32R-300 COLLIDED WITH EACH OTHER APPROX 2 MI WEST OF THE FULLERTON MUNICIPAL ARPT, AT AN ALT OF APPROX 1200 FT AGL. BOTH PLTS REPT CLEAR SKIES, A BRIGHT NIGHT, AND NO RESTRICTIONS TO VIS. BOTH PLTS STATED THEY MADE BLIND TRANSMISSIONS ON TOWER FREQ PRIOR TO DEPT; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT RECALL ANY OTHER ACFT ON THAT FREQ DURING TAXI AND TAKEOFF.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

N6539L, A CESSNA 152, AND N1172H A PIPER PA-32R-300 COLLIDED WITH EACH OTHER APPROX 2 MI WEST OF THE FULLERTON MUNICIPAL ARPT. AT AN ALT OF APPROX 1200 FT AGL. BOTH PLTS REPT CLEAR SKIES, A BRIGHT NIGHT, AND NO RESTRICTIONS TO VIS. BOTH PLTS STATED THEY MADE BLIND TRANSMISSIONS ON TOWER FREQ PRIOR TO DEPT; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT RECALL ANY OTHER ACFT ON THAT FREQ DURING TAXI AND TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N6539L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6539L-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 15284429, built 1980 (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: 15284429
- Airframe hours: 1078
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Fullerton Skyways
- Registered owner: Timothy A. Planz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1983, 52 hours before
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton, runway 24, 3,121 × 75 ft

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: N1172H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7780140
- Airframe hours: 2776
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KLG5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Arrow Air Service
- Registered owner: Connie M. Carson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Destination: BUR, BURBANK, CA
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton, runway 24, 3,121 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N6539L; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,781 total, 719 in this make and model, 2,621 as pilot in command, 329 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N1172H; age 25; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,751 total, 312 in this make and model, 2,571 as pilot in command, 261 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FUL, 2 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830805057371A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830805057371A), Aug 5, 1983: Cessna 152, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft collided with N1172H during climb 2MILES west of airport. IFR conditions, all lights working.
- [Accident 19830805057372A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830805057372A), Aug 5, 1983: Piper PA32R300, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft collided with N6539L during climb 2 miles west of airport. VFR conditions. All lights working.

## Other investigations on N6539L (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW93LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA050), Dec 12, 1992: Cessna 150 (N6539L), Norman, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE AND POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN.

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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