# NTSB LAX87LA091: Cessna C-152, N757QE, Bakersfield, CA, January 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1987, 05:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.200859, -118.86074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2009&lon=-118.8607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25506/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA091

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - airport facilities,rotating beacon - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not possible, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not selected, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - supervision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - not selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CESSNA 152 COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 140 FT TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY EDGE WHILE ON A NIGHT APCH. THE RWY SAFETY AREA AT THE APRT EXTENDS 60 FT FROM THE RWY CENTERLINE. THE PIC INDICATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE LOW INTENSITY RWY LIGHTS AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS AND THAT THE APRT'S ROTATING BEACON WAS INOPERATIVE. THE PIC ALSO STATED THAT THE PRIVATE PLT PASSENGER WAS MANIPULATING THE CONTROLS AT THE TIME AND HE ALIGNED THE ACFT ON WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE THE RWY. THE PLT CONTROLLED APRT LIGHTING SYSTEM WAS OPERATED 10 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WITH NO NOTED DEFICIENCIES. SUBSEQUENT TESTING ALSO REVEALED NO DEFICIENCIES. THE ACFT RADIOS WERE UNABLE TO BE TESTED BECAUSE THEY WERE DESTROYED IN THE POST CRASH FIRE. THE APRT'S ROTATING BEACON WAS REPORTED OUT OF SERVICE AND WAS PUBLISHED IN THE NOTAMS. ANOTHER APRT WAS LOCATED 6 NM NORTH OF THE APRT IS EQUIPPED WITH HIRL AND MIRL ON EITHER OF ITS TWO RWYS WHICH OPERATE CONTINUALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N757QE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757QE-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 15279913 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15279913
- Airframe hours: 3661
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: C & B Flying Service
- Registered owner: C & B Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 1986, 30 hours before
- Departed: L45, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Airport: L45, Bakersfield Municipal, runway 31, 3,150 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 8 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 19870118053419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870118053419A), Jan 18, 1987: Cessna 152, Bakersfield, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft hit dirt banks beside the unlit runway during a night landing.

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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