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Accidents · NTSB LAX95LA288 · Final report

Cessna 152 accident near Camarillo, California, August 10, 1995

On August 10, 1995 at about 8:05 pm local time, a Cessna 152, registered N757EL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Camarillo, California (Camarillo airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The failure of the landing gear strut due to fatigue.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
August 10, 1995 · about 8:05 pm local time
Place
Camarillo, California · Camarillo · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
Registration
N757EL · no longer on the register · serial 15279680
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

AFTER LANDING, THE STUDENT PILOT APPLIED POWER TO INITIATE A TAKEOFF. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUT BROKE OFF AT THE WHEEL BASE CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO ENTER A GROUND LOOP. EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE REVEALED EXTENSIVE RUST AND EVIDENCE OF A PREEXISTING FATIGUE CRACK.

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

Pilot

  • Certificate: student
  • Flight time: 53 hours in all; 53 in this make and model; 53 in the last 90 days; 44 in the last 30 days; 2 as pilot in command
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
  • Seat: left

The aircraft

  • Last inspection: annual inspection
  • Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
  • Operator: Anacapa View Flying Club

The flight

  • Departed from: CMA at 7:50 pm
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 26, 6,010 ft by 150 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 240° at 8 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
  • Observation at 8:12 pm from CMA

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1

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.