# NTSB LAX91LA021: Cessna 152, N757PZ, Maricopa, AZ, November 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1990, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Maricopa, AZ
- Location: 33.0581° N, 112.0476° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Maricopa, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0581&lon=-112.0476&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27051
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27051/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA021

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO ENSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WAS MAINTAINED DURING THE FINAL APPROACH FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS; TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE CONDUCT OF THE FLIGHT; AND TO ARREST THE RATE OF DESCENT PRIOR TO TOUCH DOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - windshear
  - airspeed(vref) - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT THE FLIGHT FLEW TO THE AIRSTRIP AT MARICOPA, ARIZONA, IN ORDER THAT THE 16 HOUR PRIMARY STUDENT COULD PRACTICE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A STABILIZED SHORT FINAL APPROACH WITH FULL FLAPS AND AT ABOUT 60 KNOTS INDICATED AIRSPEED. AS THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED A ROW OF TREES ORIENTED PERPENDICULAR TO THE RUNWAY THE AIRSPEED SUDDENLY DROPPED TO 40 KNOTS INDICATED AND THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SINK RATE THAT COULD NOT BE ARRESTED PRIOR TO THE AIRCRAFT LANDING HARD ON THE RUNWAY. THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE ABOUT 15 KNOTS DOWN THE RUNWAY WITH GUSTS TO 25 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N757PZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757PZ-2011-05-26), registration cancelled 2011-05-26, S/N 15279908, built 1977 (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: 15279908
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sawyer Aviation
- Registered owner: Unknow
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: PHX
- Airport: E31, Ak Chin Field, runway 17, 2,950 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 850 total, 300 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 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 19901101048859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901101048859A), Nov 1, 1990: Cessna 152, Maricopa, AZ, Substantial damage. Slow on final encountered windshear and high sink rate to runway impact.

## Other investigations on N757PZ (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 NYC01LA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA218), Aug 17, 2001: Cessna 152 (N757PZ), Newark, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an aborted landing. A factor in this accident was the crosswind conditions.

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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