# NTSB LAX90LA102: Cessna 152, N67558, Lake Elsinore, CA, February 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1990, 21:40 local (Feb 24, 1990, 05:40 UTC)
- Place: Lake Elsinore, CA
- Location: 33.6681° N, 117.3273° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake Elsinore, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6681&lon=-117.3273&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA102

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VISUAL LOOKOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A CESSNA 152 COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING A NIGHT TIME PRACTICE FLIGHT. BOTH PILOTS INDICATED VARIOUS DEGREES OF CONFUSION AS TO THEIR LOCATION IN RELATION TO THE TERRAIN. ONE PILOT WAS RECENTLY CERTIFICATED AND THE OTHER PILOT WENT ALONG TO ACT AS A SAFETY PILOT. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67558](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67558-2001-05-22), registration cancelled 2001-05-22, S/N 15281911 (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: 15281911
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Western Flight International
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: RAL, RIVERSIDE, CA
- Destination: CRQ, PALAMAR, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 98 total, 92 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- 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 19900223002779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900223002779A), Feb 23, 1990: Cessna 152, Lake Elsinore, CA, Substantial damage. On night IFR hood practice with safety pilot flew into side of mountain. Both failed to note flight below moca.

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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