Cessna 152 and Piper PA-22-135 accident near Van Nuys, California, March 3, 1991
On March 3, 1991 at about 11:00 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 152 (N25378) and Piper PA-22-135 (N2505A), were involved in the same accident near Van Nuys, California (Van Nuys airport). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF THE CFI ABOARD N25378 TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE FLIGHT AND THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE NORMAL BRAKES.
THE FAILURE OF THE CFI ABOARD N25378 TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE FLIGHT AND THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE NORMAL BRAKES.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 3, 1991 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Van Nuys, California · Van Nuys · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N25378 · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Piper PA-22-135 · all PA-22-135s on the register
- Registration
- N2505A · registry record · serial 22-816
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 152 final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE CESSNA 152 DEPARTED FOR A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT AND THE CFI RECEIVED CLEARANCE TO TAXI FOR AN INTERSECTION TAKEOFF AT 10G. THE PIPER TRIPACER WAS STANDING AT 10G AWAITING TAKEOFF CLEARANCE. THE CFI INSTRUCTED THE STUDENT TO GO AROUND AND PARK BEHIND THE PIPER. THE CFI FAILED TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT AS HE (THE STUDENT) BEGAN THE TURN HE INADVERTENTLY LOCKED THE BRAKES CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO TURN SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THE CESSNA'S RIGHT WING STRUCK THE TAIL OF THE PIPER CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PIPER. THE CESSNA RECEIVED MINOR WING TIP DAMAGE.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Piper PA-22-135 final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE CESSNA 152 DEPARTED FOR A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT AND THE CFI RECEIVED CLEARANCE TO TAXI FOR AN INTERSECTION TAKEOFF AT 10G. THE PIPER TRIPACER WAS STANDING AT 10G AWAITING TAKEOFF CLEARANCE. THE CFI INSTRUCTED THE STUDENT TO GO AROUND AND PARK BEHIND THE PIPER. THE CFI FAILED TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT AS HE (THE STUDENT) BEGAN THE TURN. HE INADVERTENTLY LOCKED THE BRAKES CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO TURN SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THE CESSNA'S RIGHT WING STRUCK THE TAIL OF THE PIPER CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PIPER. THE CESSNA RECEIVED MINOR WING TIP DAMAGE.
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 for the Cessna 152 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,300 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 350 in the last 90 days; 110 in the last 30 days; 1,050 as pilot in command; 770 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 11:00 pm from VNY, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
The factual record for the Piper PA-22-135 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: LGB Long Beach CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.