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Cessna 152 Collides with Ditch During Takeoff at Sonoma County Airport (N5169B)

Santa Rosa, CA, US

On April 2, 1990, a Cessna 152 (registration N5169B) operated by Dragonfly Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Santa Rosa, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 9 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 152 collided with a ditch and nosed over during takeoff ground run from Runway 19 at Sonoma County Airport. The student pilot was uninjured; the aircraft sustained substantial damage.

Accident Overview

On April 2, 1990, at 1336 Pacific Daylight Time, a Cessna 152, registration N5169B, collided with a ditch and nosed over during the takeoff ground run from Runway 19 at Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, California.

Aircraft and Operator

The aircraft was manufactured by Cessna and was being operated by Dragonfly Aviation, Inc., of Santa Rosa, California, under 14 CFR Part 91 at the time of the accident.

Pilot and Injuries

The certified student pilot was not injured in the accident.

Weather Conditions

Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The winds were reported from 180 degrees at 5 knots.

Damage

The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the collision with the ditch and the subsequent nose-over.

Additional Details

The accident occurred on Runway 19 at the airport. No further information regarding the cause of the accident or contributing factors is available from the source.

Related events

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Apr 1990 Cessna 152 accident near Santa Rosa, CA?

A Cessna 152 collided with a ditch and nosed over during takeoff ground run from Runway 19 at Sonoma County Airport. The student pilot was uninjured; the aircraft sustained substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 2 Apr 1990 Cessna 152 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Apr 1990 involved a Cessna 152, registration N5169B, operated by Dragonfly Aviation, Inc., at Santa Rosa, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22941. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.