# NTSB LAX85LA161: Cessna 152, N89716, Bakersfield, CA, March 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1985, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.539749, -118.909637 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5397&lon=-118.9096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN AUTHORIZED LOCAL SOLO PRACTICE FLT, THE 31-HOUR STUDENT WAS PERFORMING TAKEOFFS AND LANDING. ACCORDING TO PLT, SECOND LANDING WAS 'HARD' AND A NOSE WHEEL SHIMMY WAS NOTED DURING THE TAXI-BACK FOR TAKEOFF. JUST BEFORE LIFTOFF ON THE NEXT TAKEOFF, THE ACFT VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY, CROSSED A TAXIWAY AND COLLIDED WITH AN EMBANKMENT OF DRYING PISTACHIO HULLS ARRANGED PARALLEL TO THE TAXIWAY. PLT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89716](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89716-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 15282837, built 1978 (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: 15282837
- Airframe hours: 1580
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sierra Flite Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 6, 1984, 72 hours before
- Departed: BFL, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Airport: L73, Poso Kern County, runway 34, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 34 total, 34 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 11 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 19850301005289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850301005289A), Mar 1, 1985: Cessna 152, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Solo student lost directional control during takeoff run. Aircraft went off side of runway and nosed up.

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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