# NTSB LAX90LA231: Cessna 152, N528CA, Fillmore, CA, June 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1990, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Fillmore, CA
- Coordinates: 34.400211, -118.829574 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4002&lon=-118.8296&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 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA231

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE STARTER DURING FLIGHT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. >

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine accessories,engine starter - engaged (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE CFI SAID THE FLIGHT WAS IN LEVEL CRUISE WHEN THE RPM SUDDENLY DROPPED FROM 2300 TO 1800. THE POWER LEVEL WAS INSUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT AND A FORCED LANDING WAS NECESSARY. THE CFI SELECTED A DRY RIVER WASH AS THE ONLY SUITABLE PLACE IN THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE SOIL OF THE WAS WAS SOFT. THE NOSE GEAR DUG IN AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND THE STARTER ENGAGED. NO OTHER SYSTEM ABNORMALITIES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N528CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N528CA-1991-07-30), registration cancelled 1991-07-30, S/N 15279693 (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: 15279693
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Above All Aviation
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 750 total, 475 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 93 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °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 19900626022659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900626022659A), Jun 26, 1990: Cessna 152, Fillmore, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power gradually en route but did not stop. Nosed over in dry river bed. Starter was engaged in ring gear

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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