# NTSB LAX94LA117: Cessna 152, N49157, Corona, CA, February 9, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 8, 1994, 17:45 local (Feb 9, 1994, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Corona, CA - Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28657 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28657/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA117 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel, and the instructor's failure to perform an adequate preflight inspection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - terrain condition - none suitable - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The instructor said that after about a 1-hour flight to practice primary flight maneuvers they returned to the airport for some touch-and-go traffic pattern operations. The instructor said that on the takeoff of the third touch-and-go, the engine quit about 200 feet agl. There was insufficient runway remaining to affect a landing and the instructor set up a glide to a dry marshy area beyond the runway. The aircraft collided with trees and then nosed into the marsh. About 15 gallons of fuel distributed evenly in both fuel tanks. Visual inspection of the engine revealed no unusual conditions. An attempt was made to start the engine for a ground test run without success. The carburetor was then disassembled for inspection and found to contain about 60 percent water, dirt, and other unidentifiable contaminants. The carburetor was then reassembled and installed on the engine. The engine started on the first attempt, ran smoothly, and accelerated through full rpm with no hesitation. ## Factual narrative On February 8, 1994, at 1745 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N49157, lost engine power during the takeoff initial climb at the Corona, California, airport. The aircraft collided with trees in a dry marshy area off the departure end of the runway during the subsequent power off forced landing. The aircraft was operated by PDZ Aviation Flight School of Corona, California, and was engaged in a local area dual instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. Neither the certificated commercial pilot flight instructor nor the 9-hour dual primary student were injured. The flight originated at the Corona airport on the day of the mishap at about 1630 hours. In his statement, the instructor reported that after about a 1- hour flight to practice primary flight maneuvers they returned to the airport for some touch-and-go traffic pattern operations. The instructor said that on the takeoff portion of the third touch-and-go, the engine quit when the aircraft was at about 200 feet above ground level (agl). There was insufficient runway remaining to affect a landing and the instructor set up a glide to a marshy area beyond the runway. The aircraft collided with trees and then nosed into the marsh. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the aircraft at the accident site and reported finding about 15 gallons of fuel distributed evenly in both fuel tanks. After recovery from the accident site, the aircraft and engine were examined by an FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic. In his report, the mechanic said that visual inspection of the engine revealed no unusual conditions. Rotation of the crankshaft produced normal range compression in all cylinders and valve train continuity. Magneto timing was tested at 20 degrees on both, and rotation produced sparks at each spark plug. An attempt was made to start the engine for a ground test run without success. The carburetor was then disassembled for inspection and found to contain about 60 percent water, dirt, and other unidentifiable contaminants. The carburetor was then reassembled and installed on the engine. The engine started on the first attempt, ran smoothly, and accelerated through full rpm with no hesitation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49157](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49157-1994-06-27), registration cancelled 1994-06-27, S/N 15281170 (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: 15281170 - Airframe hours: 3909 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pdz Aviation Flight School - Registered owner: A.Z. Eiland - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1993, 200 hours before - Airport: L66, Corona, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,208 total, 480 in this make and model, 1,180 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19940208001669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940208001669A), Feb 8, 1994: Cessna 152, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Collided with trees. Nosed into marsh. Found water dirt and other particles in carburetor. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.