Casualties unknown

Cessna 152 Collides with Terrain During Introductory Flight Lesson (N69028)

Ventura, CA, US

On December 22, 1991, a Cessna 152 (registration N69028) operated by Channel Islands Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Ventura, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND TO RECOVER FROM AN INADVERTENT STALL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 11 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 152 crashed during an introductory flight lesson after being observed in a steep climb and vertical descent; post-impact fire destroyed the wreckage, with no mechanical failure found.

Accident Overview

A Cessna 152 aircraft collided with sloping terrain while conducting an introductory flight lesson. The flight was administered to a prospective pilot by a certified flight instructor (CFI).

Witness Observations

According to an eyewitness, the airplane was seen at a low altitude in a steep climb. Subsequently, the aircraft descended vertically in a nose-down attitude until it impacted the ground. The witness described the engine noise as loud, with no sputtering or cessation of sound. Additionally, the witness noted that the airplane did not appear to be trailing smoke during the descent.

Wreckage and Examination

The wreckage was destroyed by a post-impact fire. An examination of the wreckage found no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction.

Instructor Background

The CFI had been certified approximately seven months before the accident and had accrued about 169 flight hours as a flight instructor.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X18614. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.