# NTSB LAX85LA369: Cessna 152, N67488, Grass Valley, CA, August 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1985, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Grass Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.180877, -120.980117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1809&lon=-120.9801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA369
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA369

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT THE CONCLUSION OF A LOCAL SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, THE PLT LOST CONTROL DURING A GO AROUND ATTEMPT AND CRASHED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. WHILE APPROACHING THE AIRPORT, THE PLT SAID THE UNICOM ADVISED THE WINDS AS LIGHT AND VARIABLE. ON SHORT FINAL FOR RWY 7, PLT SAID A '25 KT CROSS WIND' GUST BEGAN DRIFTING THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE RUNWAY AND HE INITIATED A GO AROUND. AFTER ADDING FULL POWER, PLT SAID HE 'LIFTED THE NOSE TOO HIGH, DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH RIGHT RUDDER AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67488](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67488-1988-05-16), registration cancelled 1988-05-16, S/N 15281862 (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: 15281862
- Airframe hours: 1699
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kevin J. Westman
- Registered owner: Jack K. Sathre
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1984, 85 hours before
- Departed: 017
- Airport: 017, Nevada Co, runway 7, 3,920 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 51 total, 51 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYV, 21 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 19850826041309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850826041309A), Aug 26, 1985: Cessna 152, Grass Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Raised nose too high on go around attempt. Solo student stalled aircraft and impacted ground next to the 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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