# NTSB LAX87LA003: Cessna 152, N24285, Torrance, CA, October 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1986, 13:23 local (20:23 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Coordinates: 33.800868, -118.349937 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8009&lon=-118.3499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CESSNA 152 WENT OUT OF CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF GROUND RUN AND THEN COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK AND NOSED OVER. THE STUDENT PLT INDICATED THAT HE WAS PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE HAD JUST APPLIED TAKEOFF POWER AFTER LANDING AND THE ACFT BEGAN TO VEER TO THE LEFT. THE ACFT DEPARTED THE RWY AND STRUCK A DIRT BANK APPROXIMATELY 50 FT FROM THE RWY EDGE. THE ACFT THEN NOSED OVER IN A FRESHLY PLOWED FIELD ADJACENT TO THE RWY. THE STUDENT PLT ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. EXAM OF THE AREA IN WHICH THE ACFT DEPARTED THE RWY REVEAL A DEEPLY WORN DIRT ROAD PARALLEL TO THE RWY WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE RUNWAY SAFETY AREA. ACCORDING TO ADVISORY CIRCULAR (AC) 150-5300-4B, THE RUNWAY SAFETY AREA SHOULD BE GRADED AND ACCOMMODATE THE OCCASIONAL PASSAGE OF ACFT WITHOUT CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24285](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24285-2007-01-26), registration cancelled 2007-01-26, S/N 15280194, built 1977 (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: 15280194
- Airframe hours: 3398
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Benbow Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1986, 88 hours before
- Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, CA
- Airport: TOA, Torrance, runway 11L, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOA

## 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 19861003047629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861003047629A), Oct 3, 1986: Cessna 152, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the side of the runway during takeoff roll on a touch and go. Student took off downwind.

## Other investigations on N24285 (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 LAX79FUA13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FUA13), Jun 17, 1979: Cessna 152 (N24285), Torrance, CA, substantial damage

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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