# NTSB LAX90FA083: Cessna 152, N6471L, Phoenix, AZ, February 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1990, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.680564, -112.090286 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6806&lon=-112.0903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA083

## Probable cause

DESIGN STRESS LIMITS EXCEEDED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing - separation (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT RENTED THE CESSNA 152 FROM THE OPERATOR TO PRACTICE MANEUVERS. GROUND WITNESSES IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT HEARD A LOUD ENGINE NOISE. THEY BOTH LOOKED UP TO SEE A PORTION O THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT WING MISSING AS THE AIRCRAFT SPUN TO THE GROUND UNDER HIGH ENGINE POWER. ALL FRACTURES AT THE SEPARATION POINTS EXHIBITED OVERLOAD CHARACTERISTICS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6471L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6471L-1990-04-26), registration cancelled 1990-04-26, S/N 15284408 (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: 15284408
- Engines: LYCOMING O235L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Westwind Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DVT, PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 52 total, 52 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 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 19900206001689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900206001689A), Feb 6, 1990: Cessna 152, Phoenix, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Left outer wing panel separated in flight during practice maneuvers. Impacted ground in near vertical dive.

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.