# NTSB LAX83LA357: Cessna 152, N6445Q, Arvin, CA, July 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1983, 12:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Arvin, CA
- Coordinates: 35.079452, -118.79055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0795&lon=-118.7905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA357
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA357

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A ROUGH ENGINE PRIOR TO THE POWER LOSS. THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE DESCENT WHICH ENDED IN A FORCED LANDING IN A PLOWED FIELD. THE ACFT WAS LANDED PERPENDICULAR TO THE FURROWS & NOSED OVER. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CRACKED CARBURETOR. WHEN A NEW CARBURETOR WAS INSTALLED THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN UNTIL SHUT DOWN. FUEL ABOARD THE ACFT AT THE CRASH SITE AND SIX QUARTS OF OIL REMAINED IN THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6445Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6445Q-1985-05-15), registration cancelled 1985-05-15, S/N 152-85253 (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: 15285253
- Airframe hours: 1050
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Air Center International
- Registered owner: Mike Bentley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1982, 45 hours before
- Departed: MHV, MOJAVE, CA
- Destination: BFL, BAKERSFIELD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,210 total, 905 in this make and model, 5,210 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 28 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 19830726035629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830726035629A), Jul 26, 1983: Cessna 152, Arvin, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit en route. Landed in a plowed field perpendicular to furrows. Flipped over. Engine ran normal afterwards

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.