# NTSB LAX90LA205: Cessna 152 II, N49796, Rialto, CA, June 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1990, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Rialto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.100254, -117.379531 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1003&lon=-117.3795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA205

## Probable cause

PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH WAKE TURBULENCE PRODUCED BY A HOVERING HELICOPTER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, takeoff - initial climb
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A CESSNA 152II LOST CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN DURING TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED THE WAKE VORTICES OF A HOVERING BELL HELICOPTER 412 IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE LOSS OF CONTROL. THE PILOT IN COMMAND INDICATED IN HIS CREWMEMBER STATEMENT, THAT HE WAS ON THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB WHEN HE SAW THE HELICOPTER HOVERING PARALLEL TO THE TAXIWAY. THE AIRPLANE THEN ENCOUNTERED THE HELICOPTER'S ROTORWASH. THE PILOT DID NOT INDICATE IN HIS STATEMENT THAT HE TOOK ANY EVASIVE ACTIONS ONCE HE SAW THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49796](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49796-1991-01-03), registration cancelled 1991-01-03, S/N 15281320 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 II
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 81320
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: C.A.R.I. Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: L66
- Airport: L67, Rialto, runway 24, 4,500 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 191 total, 107 in this make and model, 48 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 8 nm away

## 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 19900602017999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900602017999A), Jun 2, 1990: Cessna 152, Rialto, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control from helicopter wake on initial climb. Helicopter was reported to approach from rear unseen by pilot.

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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