# NTSB LAX92LA045: Cessna 152, N5552M, Maricopa, AZ, November 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1991, 12:40 local (19:40 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 March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA045

## Probable cause

THE CFI'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION AND HIS DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION. A FACTOR WAS CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE CFI RETARDED THE THROTTLE AND INSTRUCTED THE STUDENT TO SPIRAL OVER THE PRIVATELY OWNED AIRPORT AND EXECUTE A SIMULATED ENGINE OUT EMERGENCY LANDING.  THE STUDENT EXECUTED TWO 360 DEGREE TURNS, CLEARING THE ENGINE AFTER EACH TURN. WHEN THE STUDENT ROLLED OUT ON FINAL APPROACH THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT ALIGNED TOWARDS THE RUNWAY AND ITS ALTITUDE WAS TOO HIGH. THE CFI DIRECTED THE STUDENT TO GO AROUND. WHEN THE STUDENT APPLIED FULL POWER, THE ENGINE FALTERED AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO SERIOUS GLIDE POWER CARBURETOR ICING EXISTED AT THE TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5552M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5552M), registered now, S/N 15284613, built 1980 (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: 15284613
- Airframe hours: 7005
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2L 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sawyer Aviation
- Registered owner: Sawyer Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 28, 1991, 21 hours before
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Airport: 3AZ2, U/A Maricopa Ag Ctr

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,000 total, 467 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 151 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19911114051959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911114051959A), Nov 14, 1991: Cessna 152, Maricopa, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine failed to respond on go around from simulated forced landing, was operating in serious carb icing.

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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