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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 16, 1986 · Cessna 152 · N89357

Julian, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Julian, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N89357
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86LA218

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES ON FINAL APCH TO A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP WHILE ON A PERSONAL VFR X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS FUEL QUANITY AND DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT AN ARPT OTHER THAN HIS DEST. THE PLT REALIZED HE WAS LOST WHEN HE COULD NOT FIND THE ARPT. HE SUBSEQUENTLY CONTINUED TO FLY NAVIGATING BY USING A ROAD UNTIL HE CAME ACROSS A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. HE SAW A DIRECTIONAL ARROW INDICATING LANDINGS SHOULD BE MADE HEADING SOUTH ON RWY 18. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND HEADING NORTH ON RWY 36 DUE TO RISING TERRAIN ON THE NORTH END OF THE AIRSTRIP CREATING A DOWNSLOPE LANDING ROLL ON RWY 18. ON FINAL APCH THE PLT NOTICED 30 FT TALL MARKED POWER LINES APPROXIMATELY 200 FT FROM THE RWY THRESHOLD. THE ACFT STRUCK THE HIGHER UNMARKED POWER LINES ON THE SAME POLE AND CRASHED SHORT OF THE RWY.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES ON FINAL APCH TO A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP WHILE ON A PERSONAL VFR X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS FUEL QUANITY AND DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT AN ARPT OTHER THAN HIS DEST. THE PLT REALIZED HE WAS LOST WHEN HE COULD NOT FIND THE ARPT. HE SUBSEQUENTLY CONTINUED TO FLY NAVIGATING BY USING A ROAD UNTIL HE CAME ACROSS A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. HE SAW A DIRECTIONAL ARROW INDICATING LANDINGS SHOULD BE MADE HEADING SOUTH ON RWY 18. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND HEADING NORTH ON RWY 36 DUE TO RISING TERRAIN ON THE NORTH END OF THE AIRSTRIP CREATING A DOWNSLOPE LANDING ROLL ON RWY 18. ON FINAL APCH THE PLT NOTICED 30 FT TALL MARKED POWER LINES APPROXIMATELY 200 FT FROM THE RWY THRESHOLD. THE ACFT STRUCK THE HIGHER UNMARKED POWER LINES ON THE SAME POLE AND CRASHED SHORT OF THE RWY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 PDT
Nearest AirportButterfield Ranch (0nm S)
Runway36
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN89357
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data