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NTSB Report
August 15, 1989 · Cessna 152 · N152DM
Castaic, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 15, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Castaic, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N152DM
Operator
Southland Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89FA280
BASED ON THE CFI'S STATEMENT, HE WAS INTRODUCING THE 5 HOUR DUAL PRIMARY STUDENT TO ENGINE FAILURE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. THE CFI SELECTED A PORTION OF THE PRACTICE AREA THAT IS MOUNTAINOUS, WITH RIDGE ELEVATIONS OF ABOUT 3,000 FT MSL, TO BEGIN THE MANEUVER. HE SAID THAT HE REDUCED THE POWER TO IDLE TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE AND THE STUDENT RAISED THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT RAPIDLY AND SUDDENLY TO BEYOND THE STALL ATTITUDE. THE CFI SAID HE TOOK OVER AT THAT POINT, APPLIED POWER AND PUSHED THE NOSE OVER TO EFFECT A RECOVERY. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING THE RECOVERY AS IT WAS ACHIEVING A CLIMB ATTITUDE.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE CONDUCT OF THE FLIGHT, FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO ENSURE ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE PRIOR TO INITIATING THE MANEUVER, AND FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO TAKE TIMELY AND PROPER AND PROPER CORRECTIVE ACTIONS ONCE THE SITUATION WAS FULLY DEVELOPED.
Full Narrative
BASED ON THE CFI'S STATEMENT, HE WAS INTRODUCING THE 5 HOUR DUAL PRIMARY STUDENT TO ENGINE FAILURE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. THE CFI SELECTED A PORTION OF THE PRACTICE AREA THAT IS MOUNTAINOUS, WITH RIDGE ELEVATIONS OF ABOUT 3,000 FT MSL, TO BEGIN THE MANEUVER. HE SAID THAT HE REDUCED THE POWER TO IDLE TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE FAILURE AND THE STUDENT RAISED THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT RAPIDLY AND SUDDENLY TO BEYOND THE STALL ATTITUDE. THE CFI SAID HE TOOK OVER AT THAT POINT, APPLIED POWER AND PUSHED THE NOSE OVER TO EFFECT A RECOVERY. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING THE RECOVERY AS IT WAS ACHIEVING A CLIMB ATTITUDE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:35 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN152DM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSouthland Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:46
Weather SourceWFAC