# NTSB WPR14LA257: Cessna 152, N4606L, Agua Dulce, CA, June 20, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 2014, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Agua Dulce, CA - Coordinates: 34.516944, -118.269447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5169&lon=-118.2694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89500 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14LA257 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89500/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89500 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA257 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to continue the takeoff from the upsloping runway with full-flap deflection in high density altitude conditions, which led to a decreased climb rate and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 152, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 152, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071835), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and pilot-rated passenger had rented the airplane for a cross-country flight and landed at an airport. The left-seat pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he didn't think the airplane was accelerating fast enough, so he "pulled the power" to abort the takeoff. He reported that at that point, the pilot-rated passenger took the controls, applied full power, and continued the takeoff. The airplane was climbing slowly, but the stall warning horn sounded, and the left-seat pilot thought the airplane was going to stall. He said he took the controls and pushed the nose of the airplane down to increase the airspeed. The main landing gear struck high-voltage power lines crossing their path, and the airplane descended and impacted the terrain, which resulted in substantial damage. The passenger said she did not remember taking the flight controls. She reported remembering the left-seat pilot "complaining" about the performance during the takeoff, reducing throttle (while still on the ground), and then reapplying power and continuing the takeoff. The departure runway had a 1.9% uphill slope, and the terrain off the end of the runway was rising. At the time of the accident, the calculated density altitude was 5,004 ft. An examination of the engine and airframe found no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. However, the carburetor heat was found in the "on" position, and the flaps were extended to 30°. It is likely that a combination of full-flap deflection and the high density altitude decreased the airplane's performance and engine horsepower output during takeoff from the upsloping runway, which adversely affected the climb rate. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 2014, about 1430 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N4606L, sustained substantial damage during takeoff initial climb, while departing Agua Dulce Airport (L70), Agua Dulce, California. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was registered to FLITESERV LLC., and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight that originated from Long Beach Airport (KLGB), Long Beach, California, about 1245. During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the owner of the flight school reported that the pilot and passenger were both foreign private pilots of the CFR Part 141 flight school, and were working on their commercial certificates. The pilots had rented the airplane to make a cross-country flight. When queried about their destination by the owner, the pilot reported Agua Dulce Airport. The owner explained that Agua Dulce Airport did not meet the distance requirement for the advanced rating, and suggested that they overfly Agua Dulce Airport, and continue to General William J Fox Field (KWJF), Lancaster, California, which would meet the distance requirement. The owner further reported that he had interviewed the left seat pilot at the hospital and that the pilot told him that during the takeoff roll, he didn't think the airplane was accelerating fast enough, and he "pulled the power" to abort the takeoff. At that point, he said the pilot in the right seat took the controls, applied full power, and continued the takeoff. The airplane was climbing slowly, but the stall warning horn was sounding, and he (left seat pilot) thought the right seat pilot was going to stall the airplane. He said he resumed control and pushed the nose of the airplane down to increase the airspeed. The main landing gear struck high-voltage power lines crossing their path, and the airplane descended impacting the terrain. The owner reported that he was unable to speak with the right seat pilot due to her injuries. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that he had interviewed the pilot in the right seat at the hospital. He reported that her memory of the event ended at the take-off and was a bit sketchy before that. She did not remember taking the flight controls during the flight. She said she was never checked out in the Cessna 152. She did remember the left seat pilot 'complaining' about the performance during the take-off, reducing throttle (while still on the ground) and then re-applying power and continuing the take-off. She thought that the airplane was in 'clean' configuration for take-off and did not remember that the flaps were set for 'short-field'. The FAA Airport Facility Directory indicates that runway 04 has a 1.9% uphill slope. The terrain off the end of the runway is rising. Theweather at the time of departure was wind variable at 4 knots, temperature 84°F, dew point 54°F, altimeter setting 29.95"hg, and calculated density altitude was 5,004 ft. During the engine and airframe examinations no mechanical anomalies were found. However, the carburetor heat was found in the "on" position and the flaps were extended to "full" 30o deflection. Several weeks after the accident the operator stopped communicating with the NTSB and the FAA. Further investigation found that the flight school was closed. The operator did not submit the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1 as requested. High Density Altitude The hazards associated with high density altitude operations are outlined in an FAA Pamphlet titled DENSITY ALTITUDE (FAA-P-8740-2). The publication states, High density altitude will decrease the airplanes performance. Whether due to high altitude, high temperature, or both, reduced air density (reported in terms of density altitude) adversely affects aerodynamic performance and decreases the engine's horsepower output. Takeoff distance, power available (in normally aspirated engines), and climb rate are all adversely affected. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4606L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4606L-2019-02-02), registration cancelled 2019-02-02, S/N 15284194, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 (NO SERIES) - 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: 15284194 - Year built: 1980 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: L70, Agua Dulce, CA - Destination: KWJF, Palmdale, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: L70, Agua Dulce, runway 04, 4,600 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: serious; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total - Pilot-rated passenger; age 28; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 200 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: L70 ## 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 20140620010379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140620010379A), Jun 20, 2014: Cessna 152, Agua Dulce, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft departed runway 04, Agua Dulce airpark, Agua Dulce, California, uphill. Aircraft failed to out-climb power lines at the departure end of the runway… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 28, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89500. 429 KB in all. - Record of Conversation (Flight School Operator) (item 1, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480866&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Flight%20School%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (FAA Interwiew with Second Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480867&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Interwiew%20with%20Second%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - NTSB Airframe and Engine Exam (item 3, .PDF, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480868&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Exam%20-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Reprensentatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480869&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Reprensentatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF 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.