# NTSB LAX96LA017: Cessna 152, N5321P, Mobile, AZ, October 19, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1995, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Mobile, AZ
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29313/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA017

## Probable cause

a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that while performing practice ground reference manuevers, his engine 'hicupped', then went to idle. He applied carburetor heat, increased mixture and throttle, but could not regain power.  He established a glide, selected a landing area on a dirt road, and made a forced landing.  The aircraft collided with a palo verde tree at the side of the dirt road, damaging both wings.  There was no evidence of mechanical failure.  Fuel was found in the aircraft fuel tanks and in the engine carburetor.

## Factual narrative

On October 19, 1995, at 1030 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 152, N5321P, collided with ground obstructions while executing a forced landing on a road near Mobile, Arizona.  The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of power while the pilot was practicing maneuvers at cruise altitude.  The aircraft was owned and operated by Glendale Aviation of Glendale, Arizona, and was rented by the student pilot for a local area solo instructional flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft incurred substantial damage.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated about 0900 on the day of the accident from the Glendale airport.

The pilot stated that while performing practice ground reference manuevers, his engine "hicupped", then went to idle.  He applied carburetor heat, increased mixture and throttle, but could not regain power.  He established a glide, selected a landing area on a dirt road, and made a forced landing.  The aircraft collided with a palo verde tree at the side of the dirt road, damaging both wings.

The aircraft was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector from the Scottsdale Flight Standards District Office.  He reported that fuel was found in the aircraft fuel tanks and in the engine carburetor.  There was no evidence of mechanical failure.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5321P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5321P-2017-02-22), registration cancelled 2017-02-22, S/N 15284913, built 1981 (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: 15284913
- Airframe hours: 6168
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glendale Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1995, 120 hours before
- Departed: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LUF, 8 nm away

## 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 19951019037059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951019037059A), Oct 19, 1995: Cessna 152, Mobile, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power in practice area. Tried land on dirt road. Struck a palo verde tree. No cause. Possible practice landing

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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