# NTSB LAX94LA316: Cessna 152, N93839, Thermal, CA, July 11, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 1994, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Thermal, CA - Coordinates: 33.480422, -116.099105 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4804&lon=-116.0991&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28824 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA316 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28824/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA316 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment by failing to properly compensate for the surface wind conditions. The crosswind and the loose dirt were factors in this accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING THE LAST LANDING, THE PILOT FAILED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT WHEEL CAUGHT THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY NOSED OVER. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 1994, at 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N93839, nosed over during the landing roll after exiting runway 12 at Thermal Airport, Thermal, California. The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, registered to and operated by Air Technical College, Riverside, California, sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Neither the United Kingdom certificated private pilot (United States student pilot) occupying the left front seat nor the certificated private pilot occupying the right front seat was injured. The flight originated at Redlands, California, at an undetermined time. The flight departed Imperial County Airport, Imperial, California, about 1530 hours. Neither the operator nor the pilots reported this accident. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector reported this accident to the National Transportation Safety Board on August 11, 1994. The operator submitted the required aircraft accident report. He reported that the pilot rented the airplane for a round robin personal cross-country flight. The pilot intended to land at Imperial County Airport and Thermal Airport. The operator said that during the landing flare at Thermal Airport, the airplane drifted off the centerline. During the drift, the airplane's wheel caught the runway edge and veered into the loose dirt. The airplane's nose wheel sunk into the soft terrain and flipped over. The operator also indicated in the accident report that the airplane did not experience any preexisting malfunctions or failures. The FAA inspector reported that the second pilot noted in the accident report form was flying the airplane and occupied the left front seat. The right front seat pilot rented the airplane from the operator. At the time of the accident the left seat pilot held a United Kingdom private pilot certificate and a U.S. student pilot certificate based on a U.S. medical certificate. The right seat pilot had obtained a U.S. private pilot certificate. The day after the accident, the left seat pilot requested and received a special purpose restricted private pilot certificate. The FAA issued the certificate based on his foreign private pilot certificate. Neither of the pilots submitted the required aircraft accident report. Safety Board investigators were unable to contact either pilot. The left seat pilot returned to the United Kingdom the day after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N93839](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93839-2022-10-01), registration cancelled 2022-10-01, S/N 15285558, built 1982 (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: 1528558 - Airframe hours: 5458 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Same As Registered Owner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 10, 1994, 57 hours before - Departed: IPL, IMPERIAL COUNTY, CA - Destination: TRM, CA - Airport: TRM, Thermal, runway 12, 4,993 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 15 knots - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19940711021249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940711021249A), Jul 11, 1994: Cessna 152, Thermal, CA, Substantial damage. Drifter off runway in flare. Landed on edge runway. Wheel got off into soft dirt. Nosed over. ## Other investigations on N93839 (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX92LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA007), Oct 5, 1991: Cessna 152 (N93839), Santa Monica, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHILE TAXIING HIS AIRCRAFT. 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.