# NTSB LAX91LA371: Cessna 152, N320SV, Avalon, CA, August 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1991, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Avalon, CA
- Coordinates: 33.379318, -118.450027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3793&lon=-118.4500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27339
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA371
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27339/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA371

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND SUBSEQUENT DITCHING WHILE FLYING OVER THE OCEAN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A CESSNA 152 EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AT 2,500 FEET MSL WHILE ENROUTE TO AVALON, CALIFORNIA. THE PILOT DITCHED IN THE OCEAN AND THE AIRPLANE SANK IN DEEP WATER AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE AIRPLANE WAS REFUELED WITH 10 GALLONS OF AVIATION FUEL ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE AND WAS AIRBORNE ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N320SV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N320SV-1993-09-13), registration cancelled 1993-09-13, S/N 15282336 (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: 15282336
- Airframe hours: 4778
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John M. Wells
- Registered owner: John M. Wells
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1990, 97 hours before
- Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Destination: AVX, SANTA CATALINA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,690 total, 2,050 in this make and model, 7,120 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19910825036599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910825036599A), Aug 25, 1991: Cessna 152, Avalon, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit en route to Avalon. Ditched in ocean. Aircraft not recovered.

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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