# NTSB LAX87LA235: Cessna 152, N115RJ, Long Beach, CA, June 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1987, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Location: 33.7670° N, 118.1892° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Long Beach, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7670&lon=-118.1892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25610
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25610/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA235

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - starting procedure - not possible
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DITCHED IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN WHILE ON A VFR INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. BOTH PILOTS INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE PROPELLER WOULD NOT TURN WHEN THE STARTER WAS ENGAGED, NOR WOULD IT WINDMILL. THE CFI DITCHED THE AIRPLANE AND THEN ASSISTED THE STUDENT PILOT OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT THROUGH HIS EXIT. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD INDICATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN HER DOOR OR UNFASTEN HER SEAT BELT ALTHOUGH SHE SUSTAINED NO INJURY. THE CFI AND THE STUDENT PILOT THEN TREADED WATER FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES BEFORE THEY WERE RESCUED BY A BOAT. BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO FLOATATION DEVICES ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO BE LOCATED AFTER IT SANK AND THEREFORE WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N115RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N115RJ-1990-11-29), registration cancelled 1990-11-29, S/N 15283805 (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: 15283804
- Airframe hours: 2650
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ray-Jean Bull Aviation
- Registered owner: Ray-Jean Bull Aviation
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 4, 1987, 55 hours before
- Departed: LGB

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: right; flight hours: 540 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 26 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Observed at: LGB, 10 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 19870615020359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870615020359A), Jun 15, 1987: Cessna 152, Long Beach, CA, Destroyed. Engine seized abruptly. Aircraft was ditched in the ocean and sank. CFI and student rescued. Aircraft not found.

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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