# NTSB LAX85FA163: Cessna 152, N103ES, Modesto, CA, March 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1985, 09:46 local (17:46 UTC)
- Place: Modesto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.630416, -121.00904 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6304&lon=-121.0090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA163

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT COMPLETED A SHORT CHECKOUT AND THEN BOARDED A FEMALE COMPANION IN THE RENTED ACFT, TOOK OFF AND FLEW TO A POINT 2.9 NM FROM THE AIRPORT. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED BY NUMEROUS GROUND WITNESSES TO PERFORM A 'SERIES OF WINGOVERS, AT LOW ALTITUDE,' WITH ENTRY ALTITUDES ESTIMATED AT 300 FT AGL AND BELOW. A POLICE OFFICER OBSERVED THAT EACH SUCCESSIVE ENTRY ALTITUDE 'WAS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE PREVIOUS ONE, WITH THE CORRESPONDING RECOVERY ALTITUDES LOWER AS WELL' UNTIL THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A VACANT FIELD IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE POLICE OFFICER NOTED THAT THE RECOVERY ALTITUDE ON THE FIRST WING OVER WAS 'ABOUT THE HEIGHT OF THE TELEPHONE POLES.' THE CORONER'S OFFICE REPORTED THAT A RELATIVE OF THE PASSENGER LIVED ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N103ES (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280584
- Airframe hours: 2035
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Esco Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 12, 1985, 33 hours before
- Departed: MOD, MODESTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,115 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOD, 3 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 19850303004949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850303004949A), Mar 3, 1985: Cessna 152, Modesto, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft stalled and collided with the ground while doing aerobatic type maneuvers at a low altitude.

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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