# NTSB LAX91LA130: Cessna 152, N757XE, Santa Ana, CA, March 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1991, 17:18 local (Mar 12, 1991, 01:18 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ana, CA
- Coordinates: 33.669033, -117.900306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6690&lon=-117.9003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27138
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27138/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA130

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN THE FLIGHT'S ENCOUNTER WITH WAKE TURBULENCE FROM A LANDING HEAVY TRANSPORT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not selected, pilot in command
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE WAS PERFORMING THE FOURTH TOUCH AND GO LANDING ON RUNWAY 19 LEFT.  THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER CAUTIONED THE PILOT ABOUT POSSIBLE WAKE TURBULENCE FROM A BOEING 757 WHICH WAS LANDING JUST AHEAD OF THE AIRCRAFT ON RUNWAY 19 RIGHT.  THE PILOT SAID HE WAS IN THE FLARE WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY ROLLED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE RUNWAY ON THE RIGHT WING AND NOSE. A FIRE STARTED WHICH CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED BY THE TOWER AS 240 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N757XE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757XE-1991-10-09), registration cancelled 1991-10-09, S/N 15280079 (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: 15280079
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sunrise Aviation Co.
- Airport: SNA, John Wayne, runway 19, 2,887 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 68 total, 68 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 40 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 19910311005199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910311005199A), Mar 11, 1991: Cessna 152, Santa Ana, CA, Destroyed. Lost control in wake turbulence during landing flare. A 737 was landing on parallel 19R. Was warned by tower.

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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