# NTSB LAX89LA154: Cessna 152, N4602L, Taft, CA, April 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1989, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Taft, CA
- Coordinates: 35.16019, -119.430862 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1602&lon=-119.4309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA154

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT IN WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH WERE CONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ON A DRY LAKE BED. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED WITH NO MECHANICAL OR MALFUNCTIONS NOTED. THE ENGINE WAS ALSO STARTED AND WAS FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY. SURFACE TEMP WAS REPORTED AS 77 DEGS AND DEWPOINT WAS 53 DEGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4602L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4602L-2008-08-01), registration cancelled 2008-08-01, S/N 15284191, built 1980 (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: 15284191
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Training
- Registered owner: Aviation Training Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 231 total, 171 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBP, 43 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 19890409006859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890409006859A), Apr 9, 1989: Cessna 152, Taft, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported engine failed. Nosed over on forced landing no reason for power loss was found.

## Other investigations on N4602L (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX85FVG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FVG01), Apr 2, 1985: Cessna 152 (N4602L), Lower Lake, CA, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.