Cessna 152 accident near Carlsbad, California, September 22, 2008
On September 22, 2008 at about 11:47 pm local time, a Cessna 152, registered N271RJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Carlsbad, California (Mc Clellan-Palomar Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 22, 2008 · about 11:47 pm local time
- Place
- Carlsbad, California · Mc Clellan-Palomar Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N271RJ · no longer on the register · serial 15282221
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success and then began maneuvering the airplane away from power transmission lines. A witness observed the airplane flying slowly and emanating an "underpowered" sound. The airplane then began a descending right turn, and collided with rising terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage structure. On a prior flight earlier in the day the pilot reported having problems starting the engine, as well as encountering excessive engine roughness while performing the magneto check. Prior to the accident flight, the pilot again encountered engine roughness during the magneto check, which he resolved by running the engine for 5 minutes at a lean mixture and increased engine rpm. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no obvious evidence of premishap mechanical malfunction or failure.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 163 hours in all; 142 in this make and model; 59 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 30, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 8 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,341 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 28, 2008; 46 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Rainbow Air Academy INC
The flight
- Departed from: CRQ Carlsbad CA at 11:46 pm
- Destination: LGB Long Beach CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 4,897 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from CRQ, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.