# NTSB LAX89LA155: Cessna 152, N25884, Irwindale, CA, April 10, 1989 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 9, 1989, 17:02 local (Apr 10, 1989, 00:02 UTC) - Place: Irwindale, CA - Coordinates: 34.090511, -117.960205 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0905&lon=-117.9602&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 26376 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26376/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA155 ## Probable cause IMPROPER PROCEDURE USED BY THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR IN SIMULATING AN ENGINE FAILURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - starvation - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - starting procedure - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - fence - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis A CESSNA 152 COLLIDED WITH A FENCE DURING A FORCED LANDING. AT 4,000 FT MSL, THE CFI SWITCHED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE TO THE OFF POSITION TO SIMULATE AN ENG FAILURE. THE STUDENT PILOT SWITCHED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE TO THE ON POSITION. THE ENG DID NOT REGAIN RPM. THE CFI THEN 'DOUBLE CHECKED' TO SEE THAT THE STUDENT SWITCHED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE TO THE 'ON' POSITION. THE ENG BEGAN TO FIRE AND THEN QUIT. THE CFI THEN CHECKED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE AGAIN ALONG WITH THE MIXTURE CTRL, MAGNETOS, AND ENG PRIMER. AT 2000 FT MSL THE PROPELLER STOPPED TURNING. THE CFI ENGAGED THE STARTER IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENG. THE CFI OVERSHOT THE INTENDED LANDING AREA AND SELECTED ANOTHER ROAD AND LANDED SHORT OF IT. THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE AND NOSED OVER. THE ACFT WAS EXAMINED AND THE CARBURETOR FUEL BOWL WAS FOUND EMPTY OF FUEL. AC 61-21 STATES, IN PART, 'THE CFI SHOULD GIVE SIMULATED FORCED LANDINGS BY RETARDING THE THROTTLE.' ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25884](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25884-1989-07-29), registration cancelled 1989-07-29, S/N 15280834 (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: 15280831 - Airframe hours: 3636 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Barlett Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1989, 85 hours before - Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 292 total, 118 in this make and model, 239 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EMT, 4 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 19890409006829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890409006829A), Apr 9, 1989: Cessna 152, El Monte, CA, Substantial damage. Turned off fuel for practice forced landing. Unable restart. Overshot first landing area, hit a fence short of next ## Other investigations on N25884 (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 LAX87LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA114), Feb 10, 1987: Cessna 152 (N25884), El Monte, 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.