# NTSB LAX88FA047: Cessna 152, N5478L, Bakersfield, CA, November 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1987, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.539611, -118.910652 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5396&lon=-118.9107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA047

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE RECENTLY RATED PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE FLYING LOW AND WAVING TO PEOPLE ON THE GROUND. AS THE AIRCRAFT NEARED ELECTRICAL SERVICE LINES ACROSS ITS FLIGHT PATH GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED IT TO ENTER AN ABRUPT CLIMB, ROLL LEFT AND DIVE INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5478L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5478L-1991-03-26), registration cancelled 1991-03-26, S/N 15284320 (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: 15284320
- Airframe hours: 3772
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Southwest Air Charter
- Registered owner: Eastern, William J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 4, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 42 total, 42 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 11 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 19871116083209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871116083209A), Nov 16, 1987: Cessna 152, Bakersfield, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed flying low pull up sharply to miss wires stall and crash. Had recently received private pilot certificate.

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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