# NTSB LAX85LA172: Cessna 152, N95491, Grass Valley, CA, March 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1985, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Grass Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.179725, -120.980964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1797&lon=-120.9810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24675/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA172

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT SHE FLARED TOO LATE AND WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE 50 FT WIDE RWY AT TOUCHDOWN. THE ACFT VEERED LEFT ON THE LNDG ROLL AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUCK A SNOWBANK. THE PLT TRIED TO STEER OUT OF THE SNOWBANK BUT THE NOSE GEAR ALSO GOT INTO THE SNOW AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL RWY WAS ICY AND THERE WAS A RIGHT X-WIND COMPONENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95491](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95491-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N 15285904, 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: 85904
- Airframe hours: 241
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lieu-Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: PVF, PLACERVILLE, CA
- Destination: 017, GRASS VALLEY, CA
- Airport: 017, Nevada Co, runway 25, 3,920 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 66 total, 27 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYV, 26 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 19850314007729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850314007729A), Mar 14, 1985: Cessna 152, Grass Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Veered on crosswind landing roll and nosed over after main wheel went into snow on side 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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