# NTSB LAX89LA312: Cessna 152, N49697, Santa Paula, CA, September 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1989, 13:57 local (20:57 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.400238, -119.070053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4002&lon=-119.0701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA312
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26502/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA312

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE STUDENT PILOT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PARKED AIRCRAFT, HANGAR, AND THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, go-around (vfr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS IN CALM WIND CONDITIONS. WHILE ON AN APPROACH BEHIND ANOTHER AIRPLANE, HE STARTED A GO-AROUND, THEN HIS AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE OTHER PLANE AND ROLLED ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH TWO OTHER AIRCRAFT AND A HANGAR. A WALL OF THE HANGAR COLLAPSED, DAMAGING A THIRD AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N49697 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283497
- Airframe hours: 2951
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Cardinal Flying Club
- Registered owner: Guy Farey
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 10, 1989, 90 hours before
- Airport: CMA, Camarillo, runway 22, 2,600 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25 total, 25 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19890914034889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890914034889A), Sep 14, 1989: Cessna 152, Camarillo, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing close behind another aircraft. Rolled to right. Struck hangar head-on and parked aircraft.

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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