# NTSB LAX90LA133: Cessna 152, N5169B, Santa Rosa, CA, April 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1990, 13:36 local (20:36 UTC)
- Place: Santa Rosa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.440498, -122.780143 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4405&lon=-122.7801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26767/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA133

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

ON APRIL 2, 1990, AT 1336 PDT, CESSNA 152 (N5169B) COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND NOSED OVER DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN FROM RUNWAY 19, AT SONOMA COUNTY AIRPORT, SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA.  THE CERTIFIED STUDENT PILOT WAS NOT INJURED AND THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED BY DRAGONFLY AVIATION, INC OF SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA UNDER 14 CFR PART 91 AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  THE WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 180 DEGREES AT 5 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5169B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5169B-2000-10-06), registration cancelled 2000-10-06, S/N 15283785 (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: 15283785
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Dragonfly Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Dragonfly Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: STS, SANTA ROSA, CA
- Airport: STS, Sonoma County, runway 19, 5,002 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STS

## 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 19900402013809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900402013809A), Apr 2, 1990: Cessna 152, Santa Rosa, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff roll. Veered off runway into a ditch and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N5169B (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX00FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00FA017), Oct 16, 1999: Cessna 152 (N5169B), Ventura, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC. Contributing factors were the pilot's self induced pressure to depart the airport before the weather worsened and the airport closed, and the mountain…

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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