# NTSB LAX86LA218: Cessna 152, N89357, Julian, CA, May 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1986, 19:15 local (May 16, 1986, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Julian, CA
- Coordinates: 33.02058, -116.489089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0206&lon=-116.4891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25159
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25159/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA218

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airport facilities,obstruction marking - unapproved (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES ON FINAL APCH TO A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP WHILE ON A PERSONAL VFR X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS FUEL QUANITY AND DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT AN ARPT OTHER THAN HIS DEST. THE PLT REALIZED HE WAS LOST WHEN HE COULD NOT FIND THE ARPT. HE SUBSEQUENTLY CONTINUED TO FLY NAVIGATING BY USING A ROAD UNTIL HE CAME ACROSS A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. HE SAW A DIRECTIONAL ARROW INDICATING LANDINGS SHOULD BE MADE HEADING SOUTH ON RWY 18. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND HEADING NORTH ON RWY 36 DUE TO RISING TERRAIN ON THE NORTH END OF THE AIRSTRIP CREATING A DOWNSLOPE LANDING ROLL ON RWY 18. ON FINAL APCH THE PLT NOTICED 30 FT TALL MARKED POWER LINES APPROXIMATELY 200 FT FROM THE RWY THRESHOLD. THE ACFT STRUCK THE HIGHER UNMARKED POWER LINES ON THE SAME POLE AND CRASHED SHORT OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N89357 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282723
- Airframe hours: 1301
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Geneva King
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 26, 1985, 11 hours before
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: SEE, SAN DIEGO, NV
- Airport: Butterfield Ranch, runway 36, 2,000 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 315 total, 275 in this make and model, 279 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAN

## 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 19860515018009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860515018009A), May 15, 1986: Cessna 152, Julian, CA, Destroyed. While on final approach at an unfamiliar field, aircraft struck unmarked wires. Disregarded runway landing arrow.

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.