# NTSB LAX85LA267: Cessna 152, N4874H, Compton, CA, June 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1985, 18:08 local (Jun 7, 1985, 01:08 UTC)
- Place: Compton, CA
- Coordinates: 33.870239, -118.239814 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8702&lon=-118.2398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24735
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24735/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA267

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instrument - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, IN PREPARATION FOR THE STUDENT'S PRIVATE PLT FLT EXAM, THE INSTRUCTOR PLT FAILED TO CONFIRM THAT ADEQUTE FUEL WAS ON BOARD. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE FUEL GAUGES WERE INDICATING NEARLY EMPTY, THE INSTRUCTOR PLT PERMITTED HER STUDENT TO FLY AROUND THE PATTERN. ON THE FOURTH APCH THE ACFT EXHAUSTED ITS USABLE FUEL. THE INSTRUCTOR PLT ATTEMPTED TO GLIDE TO THE ARPT, BUT CRASHED INTO A TREE 500 FT SHORT OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4874H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283994
- Airframe hours: 3582
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Consolidated Aircraft
- Registered owner: Patrick W. Murphy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 1985
- Departed: CPM, COMPTON, CA
- Airport: CPM, Compton, runway 25L, 3,670 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 876 total, 509 in this make and model, 661 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850606022739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850606022739A), Jun 6, 1985: Cessna 152, Compton, CA, Substantial damage. Fuel was exhausted on final approach. Gauges indicated one fourth full before flight began. Landed short in a tree.

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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