# NTSB LAX87LA080: Cessna 152, N46354, Palo Alto, CA, January 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1987, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.449581, -122.100578 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4496&lon=-122.1006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA080

## 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
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - door,passenger - open (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD JUST FINISHED PRACTICING 4 TOUCH-AND-GO WITH HIS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR THEN EXITED THE AIRCRAFT AND INSTRUCTED THE STUDENT TO PRACTICE 5 SOLO TOUCH-AND-GO. ON THE TAKE-OFF RUN JUST PRIOR TO ROTATION, THE PASSENGER DOOR OPENED. THE STUDENT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND RAN OFF THE RUNWAY COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46354](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46354-1989-08-02), registration cancelled 1989-08-02, S/N 15283036 (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: 15283036
- Airframe hours: 3992
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sundowner Flying Club
- Registered owner: Warden, Jim F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 30, 1986, 67 hours before
- Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 18 total, 17 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO

## 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 19870110000449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870110000449A), Jan 10, 1987: Cessna 152, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the runway during takeoff roll. The student attempted to close a door that had popped open.

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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