# NTSB LAX89LA128: Cessna 152, N49925, San Jose, CA, March 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1989, 21:58 local (Mar 20, 1989, 05:58 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.790134, -122.389579 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7901&lon=-122.3896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26353
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26353/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA128

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: DARK NIGHT,TREES, AND THE BUILDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - high terrain (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT 1830 PST, THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM VAN NUYS, CA, ON A FLT TO OAKLAND, CA, WITH A PLANNED PASSENGER STOP AT HAYWARD, CA. HE STATED THAT AT ABOUT 2150 PST, BEFORE REACHING HAYWARD, THE ENG LOST POWER. HE TURNED TOWARD THE NEAREST ARPT, WHICH WAS AT SAN JOSE, CA, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH IT. DRG AN EMERG LANDING AT NIGHT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & A BLDG, THEN CAME TO REST IN A PARKING LOT. DRG A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE ACFT, ONLY ABOUT 1-1/4 GAL OF FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING.ACCORDING TO THE CESSNA OPERATING MANUAL, 1-1/2 GAL OF FUEL WAS CONSIDERED TO BE UNUSABLE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE ACFT AFTER THE ACDNT & NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49925](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49925-2012-06-12), registration cancelled 2012-06-12, S/N 15281398, built 1978 (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: 15211398
- Airframe hours: 1792
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sierra Academy Of Aeronautics
- Registered owner: Norris Everett
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 27, 1988, 63 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 193 total, 100 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890319004079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890319004079A), Mar 19, 1989: Cessna 152, San Jose, CA, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel two miles from airport. Struck trees and a building on forced landing.

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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