# NTSB LAX86LA176: Cessna 152, N5150B, Snellings, CA, April 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1986, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Snellings, CA
- Coordinates: 37.539817, -120.449424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5398&lon=-120.4494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (cause)
  - low pass - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE CFI STATED THAT HE PULLED THE ACFT UP TO AVOID BIRDS AND THEN LOWERED THE NOSE TO GAIN AIRSPEED FROM 70 KTS BACK TO CRUISE SPEED. DURING THE DIVE THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE THAT CROSSED A RIVER AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL. AFTER THE COLLISION THE ACFT WAS FLOWN BACK TO THE POINT OF DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5150B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5150B-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 15283777, built 1979 (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: 15283777
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Esco Aviation
- Registered owner: Charles F. Forbes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MCE, MERCED, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 800 total, 400 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MER, 10 nm away

## Other investigations on N5150B (1)

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.

- [NTSB IAD05CA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05CA059), May 4, 2005: Cessna 152 (N5150B), Millville, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's distance to the restaurant sundeck.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.