# NTSB LAX86LA317: Cessna 152, N95370, Big Bear, CA, August 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1986, 17:30 local (Aug 8, 1986, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Bear, CA
- Coordinates: 34.230564, -116.860031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2306&lon=-116.8600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25229
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA317
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25229/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA317

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT PLANNED A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM PALM SPRINGS, CA. TO THE NEARBY MOUNTAIN RESORT COMMUNITY OF BIG BEAR, CA. ENROUTE, THE PLT NAVIGATED THE ACFT OVER AN AREA WHERE THE TERRAIN WAS RISING AT A RATE FASTER THAN HIS ACFT WAS CLIMBING. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE COURSE BUT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ROOM, & THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH UPSLOPING TERRAIN. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE REPORTED WITH THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95370](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95370-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 15285878 (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: 15285878
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Martin Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: L35, BIG BEAR, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,067 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19860807037899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860807037899A), Aug 7, 1986: Cessna 152, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft impacted rising terrain in turbulent weather. High density altitude. Stalled trying to reverse course.

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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