On January 5, 1995, a Cessna 152 (registration N25953) operated by Yuzo Wakita was involved in an aviation accident near San Jose, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot inadvertently pulled the mixture control handle too far, resulting in the engine quitting. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a simulated engine failure practice, a student pilot accidentally pulled the mixture control too far, causing the engine to quit. The instructor could not restart it and landed in a muddy field, resulting in the aircraft nosing over.
Incident Overview
A student pilot and their instructor were conducting simulated engine failure forced landings as part of flight training. During one of the approaches, the student inadvertently pulled the mixture control handle too far, causing the engine to cease operation. The instructor attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful.
Landing and Aftermath
Faced with a non-functioning engine, the instructor executed a forced landing in a muddy field. Upon touchdown, the aircraft nosed over. The aircraft was subsequently recovered and subjected to a thorough examination. Following the inspection, the engine was started and operated normally. No mechanical issues were identified during the examination or the subsequent engine run.
Probable cause
The student pilot inadvertently pulled the mixture control handle too far, resulting in the engine quitting.