# NTSB LAX87LA100: Cessna 152, N95529, Mesa, AZ, January 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1987, 12:04 local (19:04 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.450546, -111.640502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4505&lon=-111.6405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA100

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING PATTERN WORK. ON FINAL APPROACH THE PILOT REPORTED THAT NO CORRECTION FOR A CROSS WIND WAS REQUIRED. DURING THE FLARE THE PILOT STATED THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT. UPON TOUCH DOWN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CENTERLINE THE AIRCRAFT STILL DRIFTED TO THE LEFT. THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE RUNWAY AT WHICH TIME THE PILOT ADDED POWER TO AVOID RUNNING INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE AIRCRAFT BALLOONED OVER THE DITCH THAT PARALLELS RUNWAY 22R AND TOUCHED DOWN A SECOND TIME BETWEEN RUNWAYS 22L AND 22R AND COLLIDED WITH THE DRAINAGE DITCH THAT PARALLELS THE CENTER TAXIWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95529](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95529-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 15285914, built 1984 (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: 15285914
- Airframe hours: 1391
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack O. Hobbs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 1986, 8 hours before
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, CA
- Airport: FFZ, Falcon Fld, runway 22R, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 52 total, 52 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FFZ

## 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 19870128001239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870128001239A), Jan 28, 1987: Cessna 152, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. The student failed to maintain directional control on landing. The aircraft struck a ditch off side of the runway.

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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