# NTSB LAX87LA059: Cessna 152, N25592, Davis, CA, December 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1986, 00:45 local (08:45 UTC)
- Place: Davis, CA
- Coordinates: 38.549331, -121.799461 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5493&lon=-121.7995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25485
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25485/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA059

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - loss,total (contributing factor)
  - powerplant controls - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CESSNA 152 NOSED OVER IN A ROUGH PLOWED FIELD AFTER A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE ON A NIGHT VFR PLEASURE FLIGHT. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE WAS ON A DATE WITH HIS GIRL FRIEND AND OFFERED TO DEMONSTRATE NEGATIVE GRAVITY TO HER. HE SLOWED THE AIRCRAFT AND CLIMBED TO APPROXIMATELY 2,600 FEET MSL. DURING THE RECOVERY FROM THE RESULTING DIVE, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND WOULD PRODUCE ONLY PARTIAL POWER. THE PILOT CHECKED THE MIXTURE CONTROL, THE MAGNETOS, FUEL QUANITY, FUEL VALVE, AND CARBURETOR HEAT. THE ENGINE WOULD ONLY PRODUCE 1,400 RPM AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A ROUGH PLOWED FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE BY AN AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES IN THE ENGINE CONTROLS OR AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N25592 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280752
- Airframe hours: 4092
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Executive Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Inderbitzen, Tom
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 25, 1986, 84 hours before
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: 005, DAVIS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 560 total, 11 in this make and model, 481 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 15 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 19861207064799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861207064799A), Dec 7, 1986: Cessna 152, Davis, CA, Substantial damage. The engine lost power. The aircraft nosed over on the emergency landing. Pilot had been flying a zero g profile.

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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