# NTSB LAX85LA307: Cessna 152, N94295, Fall River Mill, CA, July 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1985, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Fall River Mill, CA
- Coordinates: 41.009727, -121.469207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0097&lon=-121.4692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA307
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA307

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper assistance - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - radar assistance to vfr aircraft - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose over, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT, ON HER FIRST SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY FLT, DEPARTED FOR A PLANNED 97 NM, 67 MIN TRIP. WHILE ENROUTE, THE WINDS ALOFT INCREASED IN VELOCITY AND THE STUDENT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE DRIFT. THE STUDENT BECAME LOST, & AFTER FLYING FOR NEARLY 2 HOURS & PROCEEDING 75 NM NORTH OF HER PLANNED DESTINATION, THE PLT ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE FIRST LDG ATTEMPT WAS ABORTED & DURING THE GO-AROUND THE ACFT STALLED, DESCENDED, COLLIDED WITH A BERM & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N94295 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15285645
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: R.A. Bridgford, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: APC, NAPA, CA
- Destination: CIC, CHICO, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 089, Fall River Mills

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 30 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19850706029939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850706029939A), Jul 6, 1985: Cessna 152, Fall River Mill, CA, Substantial damage. Attempted landing in field after being lost. Went around after drifting on landing,stalled,hit a berm. Nosed over.

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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