# NTSB WPR09LA040: Cessna 152, N45994, Atwater, CA, November 16, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 15, 2008, 17:50 local (Nov 16, 2008, 01:50 UTC) - Place: Atwater, CA - Coordinates: 37.380279, -120.568054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3803&lon=-120.5681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69460 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69460/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69460 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA040 ## Probable cause The second pilot's failure to see and avoid the rotating propeller after exiting the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis At the completion of the final leg of a cross-country flight, the two student pilots taxied the airplane toward the ramp. Prior to reaching the parking area, the student pilot seated in the right seat, concerned about being seen by flight school personnel, instructed the other student pilot to taxi the airplane to the designated parking area, where he would exit the airplane. The student pilot seated in the left seat reported that after the student pilot seated in the right seat exited the airplane, he ran toward the front of the airplane and was struck by the turning propeller. ## Factual narrative On November 15, 2008, about 1750 Pacific standard time, the student pilot associated with the operations of a Cessna 152, N45994, was killed after exiting the airplane and inadvertently contacting the propeller, at the Atwater/Castle Airport (MER), Atwater, California. The airplane was registered to KS Aviation, Inc. and operated by Sierra Academy of Aeronautics under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The first student pilot, who was seated in the left seat and manipulating the controls at the time of the accident, was not injured. The airplane was not damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that originated from Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS), Visalia, California, at 1625, with an intended destination of MER. For the purposes of this report, the student pilot manipulating the flight controls at the time of the accident is referred to as the first pilot; the student pilot that exited the airplane (deceased) is referred to as the second pilot. In a written statement provided to the National Transportation Safety Board, the certified flight instructor (CFI) of both students reported scheduling the second student pilot for a solo cross country the morning of the accident. Before the flight, the CFI met with the second student pilot at the airport to check weather and endorse his logbook. The CFI watched the second student pilot walk to the ramp to preflight the airplane and then left the airport premises. In a written statement, the first pilot stated he waited on the first floor of the air traffic control tower while the second pilot was dispatched the airplane. When the flight instructor left the airport premises, the first pilot walked onto the ramp and joined the second pilot for the cross-county flight. When departing MER the second pilot was positioned in the left seat and manipulating the flight controls. After landing at VIS, the student pilots switched seats for the return flight to MER. After landing, the second student pilot taxied the airplane toward the ramp. The first pilot stated that prior to reaching the parking area, the second student pilot, concerned about being seen by flight school personnel, instructed him to taxi the airplane to the designated parking area, and then he exited the airplane. The first pilot reported that after exiting the airplane, the second student pilot ran toward the front of the airplane and was struck by the turning propeller. According to U.S. Naval Observatory data, sunset occurred at 1652. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45994](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45994-2018-04-20), registration cancelled 2018-04-20, S/N 15282979, 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: 15282979 - Airframe hours: 9695 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: No damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Sierra Academy - Registered owner: Ks Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 17, 2008, 95 hours before - Departed: KVIS, Visalia, CA - Destination: KMER, Atwater, CA - Airport: KMER, Atwater/Castle, runway 13, 11,802 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 26; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 63 total, 63 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 26; injuries: fatal; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 68 total, 68 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F - Observed at: KMER ## 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 20081115854399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081115854399A), Nov 15, 2008: Cessna 152, Merced, CA, Minor damage, 1 fatal. The aircraft was dispatched to the PIC at 2PM local time. The PIC talked his roommate into flying with him on a “solo” x-country flight. At the destination,… ## Other investigations on N45994 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ATL87LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA186), Jun 25, 1987: Cessna 152 (N45994), Dothan, AL, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 4, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=69460. 940 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 483 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Jia Li Statement (item 2, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316292&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Jia%20Li%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - CFI Statement (item 3, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316293&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20Statement-Master.PDF - Dispatcher Statement (item 4, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316294&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Dispatcher%20Statement-Master.PDF - Sunset Data (item 5, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316295&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Sunset%20Data-Master.PDF - Airport Diagram (item 6, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316296&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 7, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.