# NTSB LAX90LA105: Cessna 152, N48049, Lucerne Valley, CA, February 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1990, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Lucerne Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.520423, -116.880645 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5204&lon=-116.8806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26746
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26746/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA105

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT AND IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT TURNED THE MAGNETOS TO THE OFF POSITION WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE CONDITIONS. VISUAL WEATHER CONDITIONS EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THERE WAS NO REPORTED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48049](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48049-2010-04-13), registration cancelled 2010-04-13, S/N 15283274, built 1979 (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
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Facilities, Inc.
- Departed: BNG, BANNING, CA
- Destination: TNP, 29 PALMS, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 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 19900224002769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900224002769A), Feb 24, 1990: Cessna 152, Lucerne Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route due to carburetor icing. Student pilot may have contributed by turning mags to off position.

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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