# NTSB LAX88LA054: Cessna 152, N5418P, San Clemente, CA, November 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1987, 13:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: San Clemente, CA
- Coordinates: 33.420703, -117.619514 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4207&lon=-117.6195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25913/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - loose (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - inoperative (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENG POWER OCCURRED WHILE THE STUDENT PLT WAS ON A SOLO X-COUNTRY FLT. HE APPLIED CARB HEAT, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE ENG CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGH & THE PLT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON UPWARD SLOPING TERRAIN. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR HIT A HOLE IN THE DIRT & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. AN EXAM OF THE ENG DISCLOSED THAT THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE RETAINING NUT HAD BACKED OFF UNTIL THE VALVE WOULD NOT OPERATE AS THE CRANKSHAFT WAS ROTATED. DURING MAINTENANCE ON THE PREVIOUS DAY, THE #3 VALVES HAD BEEN ADJUSTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5418P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5418P-1988-09-15), registration cancelled 1988-09-15, S/N 15284941 (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: 15284941
- Airframe hours: 3457
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Gunnel Aviation
- Registered owner: John G. Lawson & Charles Nol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 24, 1987, 1 hours before
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Destination: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SNA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 54 total, 54 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRQ, 22 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 19871124067809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871124067809A), Nov 24, 1987: Cessna 152, Santa Ana, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on solo cross country. Landed on a road. Collapsed nose gear. Recent valve work not properly torqued.

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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