Cessna 152 accident near Livermore, California, May 13, 2002
On May 13, 2002 at about 6:15 pm local time, a Cessna 152, registered N48512, was substantially damaged in an accident near Livermore, California. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to the failure of the CFI to apply carburetor heat which resulted in carburetor icing. The unsuitable landing area in mountainous terrain, and carburetor icing conditions were factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2002 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Livermore, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N48512 · no longer on the register · serial 15283345
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots reported that the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power and collided with trees during an off airport emergency landing. Both the certified flight instructor (CFI) and the student noted that the engine was running rough, "like a rough running magneto" as the airplane climbed over a ridge line. The engine was producing power, but not enough to sustain flight, and the airplane started to sink. The CFI executed a forced landing and collided with trees in the mountainous terrain. A carburetor icing chart indicated that moderate icing conditions were favorable. Detailed examination of the fuel system disclosed no discrepancies in the tanks, lines, carburetor, or the vent system. The engine was mounted in a test stand and ran throughout the complete range of power output from idle to full with no anomalies found.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,607 hours in all
- Last flight review: October 22, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 42 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,275 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 26, 2002; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,675 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LVK Livermore CA at 5:20 pm
- Destination: LVK Livermore CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from LVK, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.