# NTSB LAX85FA074: Cessna 152, N95337, Petaluma, CA, December 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1984, 11:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Petaluma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.210964, -122.760925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2110&lon=-122.7609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24445/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA074

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED ON A LOCAL PRIMARY DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLT AT ABOUT 1030 HRS. THE STUDENT WAS IN A PRE-SOLO PHASE & THE LESSON WAS TO CONSIST OF A REVIEW OF HIGH AIRWORK. THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) HAD RECENTLY BECOME INTERESTED IN & WAS WORKING ON AEROBATICS. AT ABOUT 1115 HRS, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT PERFORM A 'TIGHT 3 TURN RIGHT HAND SPIN' WITH A RECOVERY AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL, THEN DIRECTLY ENTER AN 'AIRSHOW PERFECT LOOP.'  NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OF THE ACFT SYSTEMS WERE FOUND. THE CFI'S BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS CONFIRMED AT 0.21%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95337](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95337-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N 15285873, built 1984 (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: 15285873
- Airframe hours: 118
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vindar Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 30, 1984, 19 hours before
- Departed: 056, NOVATO, CA
- Airport: 056, Gnoss Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,860 total, 3,010 in this make and model, 6,550 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APC, 10 nm away

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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