# NTSB LAX90LA328: Cessna 152, N46326, Hayward, CA, September 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1990, 10:46 local (17:46 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, CA
- Coordinates: 37.670551, -122.079559 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6706&lon=-122.0796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA328
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA328

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN LANDING GEAR BOLT/NUT PLATE ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION (THREADING) OF THE GEAR BOLT/NUT ASSEMBLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - not secured (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- Miscellaneous/other, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE TWO LANDINGS, AND DURING THE SECOND LANDING THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN LANDING GEAR FAILED. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF HIS AIRPLANE. IT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND GROUND LOOPED. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY THE INSTALLATION OF CONVENTIONAL LEAF SPRING MAIN GEAR AND A TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY. A MAIN GEAR ATTACHMENT BOLT WAS FOUND PARTIALLY STRIPPED FROM ITS RESPECTIVE NUT PLATE ASSEMBLY. ONLY ABOUT FOUR OF THE THREADS AT THE BOLT'S END WERE OBSERVED STRIPPED, AND ONLY A PORTION OF THE THREADS IN THE NUT PLATE WERE OBSERVED STRIPPED. DURING THE LANDING, THE IMPROPERLY SECURED BOLT PULLED OUT OF THE NUT PLATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46326](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46326-2012-01-21), registration cancelled 2012-01-21, S/N 15283031, built 1978 (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
- Serial number: 15283031
- Airframe hours: 1961
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L26 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steve M. Econome
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1990, 3 hours before
- Airport: Haynard Air Terminal, runway 28L, 5,024 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,690 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,610 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: HWD

## 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 19900921041599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900921041599A), Sep 21, 1990: Cessna 152, Hayward, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced off runway on landing ground looped collapsing the landing gear. Aircraft modified to a tail wheel type.

## Other investigations on N46326 (2)

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 ANC09LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09LA034), Apr 17, 2009: Cessna 152 (N46326), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall while maneuvering at a high density altitude.
- [NTSB ANC01LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA086), Jul 16, 2001: Cessna 152 (N46326), Haines, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, and a rough/uneven…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
