# NTSB WPR26LA033: Cessna 152, N49792, Richfield, UT, October 27, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 27, 2025, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Richfield, UT
- Coordinates: 38.73, -112.1 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7300&lon=-112.1000&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 201932
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201932/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201932
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA033

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control in gusting wind conditions during the takeoff roll.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that on takeoff, with a gusting crosswind, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane struck a berm, nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## 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)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49792](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49792), registered now, S/N 15283517 (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: 152-83517
- Year built: 1979
- Airframe hours: 12528
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sierra Lima Aviation LLC
- Registered owner: Sierra Lima Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 2024
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: RIF, Richfield Municipal, runway 01, 7,100 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 23, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 142.3 total, 92.5 in this make and model, 47.1 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: RIF
- METAR: METAR KFOM 271855Z AUTO 32005KT 10SM CLR 13/03 A3018 RMK AO2

## 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 20251027017549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251027017549A), Oct 27, 2025: Cessna 152, Richfield, UT, Substantial damage. The airman performed a preflight and called AWOS. The report was winds 310 @ 5, winds calm. The pilot thought the wind socks looked to be more breezy than the…

## Other investigations on N49792 (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 LAX88LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA223), Jun 14, 1988: Cessna 152 (N49792), Scottsdale, AZ, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201932. 7.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 6.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19551322&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA033%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 712 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19571363&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photographs-Rel.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.

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