# NTSB LAX92LA032: Cessna 152, N48760, Reedley, CA, November 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1991, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Reedley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.650726, -119.39962 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6507&lon=-119.3996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27492/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA032

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE STUDENTS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE 17 HOUR STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS SECOND SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT AND WAS PERFORMING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. ON THE ACCIDENT LANDING THE PILOT SAID THAT THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN VEERING OFF THE RUNWAY AFTER TOUCHDOWN AND HE COULD NOT CORRECT THE SITUATION. THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED AND CAME TO REST OFF THE RUNWAY IN A PLOWED FIELD. DURING RETRIEVAL OF THE AIRCRAFT THE CONTROL, BRAKING AND STEERING SYSTEMS WERE EXAMINED BY A CERTIFIED AIRFRAME AND POWERPLANT MECHANIC AND FOUND TO BE FULLY FUNCTIONAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48760](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48760-2010-11-04), registration cancelled 2010-11-04, S/N 15280958, 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: 15280958
- Airframe hours: 5432
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Fresno
- Registered owner: Connelly-Motes Ranch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 5, 1991, 82 hours before
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Airport: 032, Reedley, runway 33, 3,300 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19911101048749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911101048749A), Nov 1, 1991: Cessna 152, Reedley, CA, Substantial damage. Student lost directional control on landing and ground looped.

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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