# NTSB WPR09CA073: Cessna 152, N45969, Long Beach, CA, January 5, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 5, 2009, 13:42 local (21:42 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.817501, -118.15139 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8175&lon=-118.1514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73195 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73195/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA073 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failuire to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 115 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis At rotation during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered off the runway, crossed a taxiway, struck a parked helicopter, and impacted cement pilings before erupting in flames. The student pilot reported that he attempted to correct back to the runway with right aileron and rudder, and when the airplane continued off the runway, he tried to close the throttle and stop the airplane. A ground witness reported that the engine noise increased as the airplane came toward the helicopter as if the pilot were attempting to take off. The airplane was destroyed by the ground fire and no meaningful examinations could be made of the control system or the brakes. ## Factual narrative According to the student pilot he was going on his first solo cross-country flight. He performed a preflight with no problems noted with the airplane. He taxied to the active runway, and prepared to takeoff. As the airplane reached rotation speed, it suddenly veered to the left. He added right aileron and rudder. He tried to close the throttle and stop the airplane, but he could not maintain control of the airplane. He pulled the mixture and carburetor heat and applied the brakes. The airplane continued off the left of the runway and crossed over a taxiway before it struck a helicopter and came to rest in the cement pilings next to a hangar. A fire erupted at the engine. He reached back to get the fire extinguisher and when he looked back, he saw that his socks were burning and he exited the airplane. According to a witness, he saw the airplane coming at him on the taxiway after departing the runway. The airplane was at a high rate of speed, and the engine noise increased as if the pilot was attempting to takeoff. It then hit a helicopter and guard post where it caught fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45969](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45969-2014-10-09), registration cancelled 2014-10-09, S/N 15282967, built 1978 (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: 15282967 - Airframe hours: 8995 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Temco Sky Network - Registered owner: Temco Sky Network - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 11, 2008, 80 hours before - Departed: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Destination: REI, Redlands, CA - Airport: LGB, Long Beach-Daughtery Field Air, runway 25L, 5,423 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 35; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 49 total, 49 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LGB ## 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 20090105000229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090105000229A), Jan 5, 2009: Cessna 152, Long Beach, CA, Destroyed. Student pilot [privacy data omitted] was departing Long Beach airport runway 25L at taxiway “delta” in Cessna N45969. During takeoff while still on the ground… 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.