# NTSB LAX88LA265: Cessna 152, N6469M, Dixon, CA, July 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1988, 19:15 local (Jul 20, 1988, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Dixon, CA
- Coordinates: 38.389644, -121.809051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3896&lon=-121.8091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26063
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26063/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA265

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - formation flying - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Midair collision, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - formation flying - improper, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE PLTS STATED THAT WHILE THEY WERE CRUISING IN CLOSE FORMATION, THE RGT WING OF ONE ACFT (CESSNA 152, N6469M) RAISED UP & COLLIDED WITH THE LEFT MAIN LNDG GEAR OF THE OTHER ACFT (CESSNA 152, N6239H). N6469M RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE WING & N6239H RECEIVED MINOR GEAR DAMAGE, BUT BOTH ACFT WERE SUCCESSFULLY LANDED.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N6469M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6469M), registered now, S/N 15284744 (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: 15284145
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Patterson Aircraft Co.
- Registered owner: Devlin, John J. Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: 005, DAVIS, CA

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: N6239H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284145
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Patterson Aircraft Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1988, 40 hours before
- Departed: 005, DAVIS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N6469M; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 63 total, 30 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N6239H; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 135 total, 93 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 14 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880719029271A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880719029271A), Jul 19, 1988: Cessna 152, Dixon, CA, Substantial damage. Right wing raised up and struck the left gear of N6239H while in formation flight to take pictures. Landed safely.
- [Accident 19880719029272A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880719029272A), Jul 19, 1988: Cessna 152, Dixon, CA, Minor damage. Landing gear was struck by the wing of N6469M during formation flight to take pictures. Both landed safely.

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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