# NTSB LAX89FA157: Cessna 152, N24807, Chino, CA, April 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1989, 01:00 local (09:00 UTC)
- Place: Chino, CA
- Coordinates: 39.740158, -121.830162 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7402&lon=-121.8302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA157

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN AN APPROPRIATE WEATHER BRIEFING IN PREPARATION FOR THE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ALTITUDE SUFFICIENT TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN ALONG THE INDENDED ROUTE AFTER ENTERING REDUCED VISIBILITY CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH HILLY TERRAIN IN A NEAR WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. WEATHER IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS FOUND DURING THE ENGINE INSPECTION.THE PILOT DOES NOT REMEMBER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT DID HOWEVER REPORT THAT HE CONTACTED THE HAWTHORNE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION BY TELEPHONE AT 2300 HOURS ON 4/10/89 AND THE SPECIALIST REPORTED THAT FULLERTON WAS VFR. A REVIEW OF THE TAPES AT HAWTHORNE FSS DID NOT REVEAL ANY CALLS MADE BY THE PILOT OF N24807.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24807](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24807-2013-02-11), registration cancelled 2013-02-11, S/N 15280390, built 1977 (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: 15280390
- Airframe hours: 4576
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Liberty Aviation Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 22, 1989, 36 hours before
- Departed: RAL, RIVERSIDE, CA
- Destination: FUL, FULLERTON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 7 in this make and model, 101 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft unknown
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 13 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 19890411007599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890411007599A), Apr 11, 1989: Cessna 152, Chino, CA, Substantial damage. Tried to scud run between airports at night in IMC. Collided with the ground en route.

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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