# NTSB LAX87LA321: Cessna 152C, N757HK, Upland, CA, September 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1987, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Upland, CA
- Coordinates: 34.100551, -117.6594 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1006&lon=-117.6594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA321
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25678/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA321

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)

## Analysis

THE DUAL INSTRUCTION FLIGHT COMPLETED 2 FULL STOP LANDINGS ON RUNWAY 06 AT THE CABLE AIRPORT. ON THE NEXT TAKEOFF THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT AFTER TURNING ON THE CROSSWIND LEG. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TOOK THE CONTROLS AND TURNED TO THE DOWNWIND LEG BUT THE SETTLING PERSISTED. ALTHOUGH NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED, THE INSTRUCTOR DID NOT CONSIDER THAT HE COULD MAKE IT BACK TO THE AIRPORT. HE ELECTED TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N757HK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757HK-2013-02-26), registration cancelled 2013-02-26, S/N 15279751, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152C
- 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: 15279751
- Airframe hours: 1804
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Cableair
- Registered owner: Bud Arnold Randall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 569 total, 238 in this make and model, 461 as pilot in command, 214 in the last 90 days, 66 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 5 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 19870902056279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870902056279A), Sep 2, 1987: Cessna 152, Upland, CA, Substantial damage. Encountered severe turbulence near rain showers. Unable to recover from a downdraft. Landed in a sandpit.

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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