# NTSB LAX95LA288: Cessna 152, N757EL, Camarillo, CA, August 10, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 1995, 13:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Camarillo, CA - Coordinates: 34.230373, -119.070091 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2304&lon=-119.0701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29181 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA288 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29181/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA288 ## Probable cause The failure of the landing gear strut due to fatigue. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,main gear strut - fatigue (cause) - landing gear,main gear strut - failure,total (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,nose gear strut - overload - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - airport sign/marker - object - runway light ## Analysis AFTER LANDING, THE STUDENT PILOT APPLIED POWER TO INITIATE A TAKEOFF. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUT BROKE OFF AT THE WHEEL BASE CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO ENTER A GROUND LOOP. EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE REVEALED EXTENSIVE RUST AND EVIDENCE OF A PREEXISTING FATIGUE CRACK. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 1995, at 1305 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N757EL, exited the left side of runway 26 during the takeoff ground roll at Camarillo Airport, Camarillo, California. The airplane then collided with an airport sign and runway light. The solo student pilot was conducting a local visual flight rules instructional flight. The airplane, registered to a private individual and operated by Anacapa View Flying Club, Camarillo, sustained substantial damage. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the airport at 1250 hours. In a written statement, translated by another individual, the student pilot said she was doing a touch-and-go landing and takeoff. After the initial landing, the airplane was to the right of the centerline. The student pilot applied left rudder to realign the airplane while simultaneously adding power for takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the left wing suddenly dropped to the runway and the airplane started to turn to the left. The student pilot was unable to arrest the turn. The operator reported that the left main landing gear strut broke off at the wheel base. The fracture surface displayed extensive rust and a preexisting fatigue crack. He also said that there were no skid marks on the runway or any indication of abnormal wear on the tires. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N757EL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N757EL-2017-07-20), registration cancelled 2017-07-20, S/N 15279680, 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: 15279680 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Anacapa View Flying Club - Registered owner: Carlos Jiminez - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: CMA - Airport: CMA, Camarillo, runway 26, 6,010 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CMA ## 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 19950810023939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950810023939A), Aug 10, 1995: Cessna 152, Camarillo, CA, Substantial damage. Left wing dropped to runway on transttion to go on touch and go. Veered sharp. Collapsed gear. Wing strut broke. ## Other investigations on N757EL (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 OAK78FVW17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVW17), Jul 13, 1978: Cessna 152 (N757EL), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage 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.