# NTSB LAX89LA308: Cessna 152, N95554, Torrance, CA, September 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1989, 13:14 local (20:14 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Coordinates: 33.79951, -118.349472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7995&lon=-118.3495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA308
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA308

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLL-OUT, WHICH RESULTED A GROUND SWERVE.  THE PILOT'S RELATIVELY LOW LEVEL OF FLYING EXPERIENCE AND THE BERM BESIDE THE RUNWAY WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS, THE 35 HR STUDENT PLT LANDED ON THE 150 FT WIDE RWY. DURING ROLL-OUT, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AS THE ACFT VEERED TOWARD THE EDGE OF THE RWY. THE STUDENT STATED HE FEARED THAT BY CORRECTING THE GROUND TRACK OF THE ACFT, IT WOULD 'TUMBLE.'  THE ACFT ROLLED OFF THE RWY, COLLIDED WITH A 1.5 FT HIGH DIRT BERM & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95554](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95554-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 15285921, built 1984 (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: 152859921
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southwest Skyways, Inc.
- Airport: TOA, Torrance Muni, runway 11L, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 35 total, 33 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: TOA

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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