# NTSB LAX84LA438: Cessna 152, N6321M, Cressey, CA, August 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1984, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Cressey, CA
- Coordinates: 37.320964, -120.629615 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3210&lon=-120.6296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA438
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA438

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED TWO ACFT MAKING MULTIPLE LOW PASSES DOWN THE RIVER. EACH ACFT WAS SEEN FLYING UNDER 3 ELECTRICAL POWER LINES AT LEAST 3 TIMES. ON THE LAST PASS, ACCORDING TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, ONE ACFT STRUCK AND SEVERED ALL 3 POWER LINES. AFTER THE COLLISION THE PLT FLEW TO A NEARBY ARPT AND PERFORMED A TOUCH AND GO LANDING. FINDING THE ACFT CONTROLLABLE HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT OF ORIGINAL DEPARTURE WHERE HE LANDED. THE PLT SAID THAT HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TOWARD THE PASSENGER WHO WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A CAMERA WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6321M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6321M), registered now, S/N 15284671, 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: 15284671
- Airframe hours: 1818
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-62C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Central Valley Skyways
- Registered owner: Stanley Swenson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 11, 1983, 68 hours before
- Departed: OO1, ATWATER, CA
- Destination: 001, ATWATER, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 109 total, 96 in this make and model, 73 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19840812073309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840812073309A), Aug 12, 1984: Cessna 152, Cressey, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot flying low over river. Struck powerlines, continued to an airport, landed. Took off and flew to home base.

## Other investigations on N6321M (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 LAX96LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA109), Feb 9, 1996: Cessna 152 (N6321M), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's improper use of the rudder control and resultant failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing rollout. Factors relating to the accident were: the…

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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