# NTSB LAX87LA073: Cessna 152, N5540H, San Dimas, CA, January 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1987, 10:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: San Dimas, CA
- Coordinates: 34.100547, -117.810508 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1005&lon=-117.8105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25493
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25493/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA073

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES RPRTD THE ACFT HAD CIRCLED THE AREA 2 TIMES AT APRX 200' BEFORE IT HIT TREES & CRASHED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CAME TO REST AGAINST A RESIDENCE WHERE THE PLT'S SISTER LIVED. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ENG STARTED 'SPUTTERING,' SO HE APPLIED CARB HEAT, BUT IT CONTD TO LOSE POWER. HOWEVER, NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND & WITNESSES RPRTD THE ENG WAS RUNNING NORMALLY BFR IMPACT. THE PAX RPRTD THEY HAD BEEN AT A PARTY THE NGT BFR & HAD BEEN DRINKING & SMOKING 'KOOLS' (COMMON STREET NAME FOR CIGARETTES DIPPED IN PHENCYLIDINE (PCP)). BASED ON THEIR OBSERVATIONS, SHERIFF DEPUTIES BELIEVED THE PLT WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PCP. THEY NOTED PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF DRY MOUTH, DIFFICULTY WITH SPEECH, RIGID BODY MOVEMENTS, HORIZONTAL NYSTAGMUS TO THE EYES & FAINT PCP ODOR EMITTING FROM THE PLT'S BREATH & PERSON.THE DEPUTIES REQUESTED THAT THE PLT SUBMIT TO BLOOD OR URINE SAMPLES FOR DRUG AND/OR ALCOHOL USE; HOWEVER, HE REFUSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5540H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5540H-1989-09-18), registration cancelled 1989-09-18, S/N 15284122 (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: 15284122
- Airframe hours: 764
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: King Aviation
- Registered owner: Casanova, John P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 10, 1986, 36 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: POC, LA VERNE, CA
- Airport: POC, Brackett

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,366 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,178 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: POC, 4 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 19870101000189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870101000189A), Jan 1, 1987: Cessna 152, San Dimas, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot reported engine power loss and aircraft hit a house. Pilot was arrested for illegal use of drugs.

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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