# NTSB LAX89FA311: Cessna 152, N25776, Buena Park, CA, September 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1989, 16:34 local (23:34 UTC)
- Place: Buena Park, CA
- Location: 33.8574° N, 118.0074° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Buena Park, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8574&lon=-118.0074&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26250/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA311

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE PERFORMED PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE DUAL STUDENT AND THE INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE DUAL STUDENT BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT. CONTAMINATED FUEL WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT AND HIS NON-CERTIFICATED STUDENT PILOT WERE PREPARING FOR TAKEOFF AND LANDING TRAINING. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE STUDENT PILOT WAS FINISHING THE PREFLIGHT WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE AIRCRAFT. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT HE CHECKED THE OIL AND MADE A VISUAL CHECK OF THE FUEL QUANTITY IN THE RIGHT WING TANK. THE STUDENT PILOT MADE THE TAKEOFF AND AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO 150 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY THE ENGINE FAILED. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS FOR THE OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A RESIDENCE, IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STREET AND NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK. A POST CRASH FIRE CONSUMED THE CABIN SECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25776](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25776-1991-08-21), registration cancelled 1991-08-21, S/N 15280778 (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: 15280778
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Liberty Aviation Services
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 444 total, 117 in this make and model, 390 as pilot in command, 148 in the last 90 days, 109 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: FUL, 1 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 19890913065129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890913065129A), Sep 13, 1989: Cessna 152, Fullerton, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout. Struck residence trying to land on a street. Nosed over and burned. Carb icing conditions.

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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