# NTSB LAX85LA121: Cessna 152, N4931P, Eureka, CA, January 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1985, 14:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, CA
- Coordinates: 40.800468, -124.150505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8005&lon=-124.1505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24642/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA121

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - aborted landing - not performed, pilot in command
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, THE STUDENT PLT MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO LAND AT THE ARPT. ON THE 3RD APCH, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN THE RWY 'A LITTLE FAST.'  THE PLT ADDED POWER TO ABORT THE LANDING & MAKE A GO-AROUND. HE THEN CHANGED HIS MIND & REDUCED THE POWER TO IDLE TO CONTINUE THE LANDING. THE PLT THEN HAD MISGIVINGS ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF RWY REMAINING & ELECTED TO GO AROUND AFTER ALL. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LAST POWER APPLICATION, THE NOSEWHEEL BEGAN TO 'SHAKE VIOLENTLY.'  ONCE MORE, THE PLT DECIDED TO STOP THE ACFT 'TO EXAMINE THE NOSEWHEEL.'  HOWEVER, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT RWY REMAINING TO STOP THE ACFT.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT SKIDDED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4931P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4931P-1988-03-21), registration cancelled 1988-03-21, S/N 15284847 (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: 15284847
- Airframe hours: 1723
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Redwood Flying Club
- Registered owner: John R. Morrison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 1984, 84 hours before
- Departed: EKA, EUREKA, CA
- Airport: 019, Kneeland, runway 33, 2,270 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 41 total, 39 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACV, 18 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 19850123001219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850123001219A), Jan 23, 1985: Cessna 152, Eureka, CA, Substantial damage. Landed long and fast. Solo student could not decide whether to abort or go around. Ran off end of runway.

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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