Cessna 152 accident near San Bernardino, California, November 14, 2020
On November 14, 2020 at about 4:04 am local time, a Cessna 152, registered N757PY, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near San Bernardino, California (San Bernardino International A airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate preflight inspection.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 14, 2020 · about 4:04 am local time
- Place
- San Bernardino, California · San Bernardino International A · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N757PY · no longer on the register · serial 15279907
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the preflight inspection, water was found in a fuel sample taken from the gascolator. Three subsequent samples were taken from the gascolator, which revealed no water. Fuel samples taken from each of the wing tanks revealed no water contamination. The pilot departed on a cross-country flight when, about 10 to 15 minutes after takeoff, the engine lost partial power and the pilot diverted to a nearby airport; he could not recall anything after that. The airplane came to rest about 1 nautical mile southwest of the diversion airport and sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed water in the right fuel tank, gascolator, the carburetor inlet hose, and the carburetor bowl. A maintenance logbook entry made about 8 days before the accident revealed that contaminated fuel had been found in the fuel system. After the fuel had been drained and the airplane refueled, the engine was started and ran normally. Based on the available information, the engine lost total power due to fuel contamination, which resulted in a forced landing and substantial damage to the airplane.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Fuel contamination during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane
- Flight time: 424 hours in all; 58 in this make and model; 58 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 352 as pilot in command; 58 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,782.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 5, 2020; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 8,782 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CNO Chino CA at 3:00 am
- Destination: PRC Prescott AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 7:59 pm from SBD, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on July 19, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Airframe and Engine Examination Report | PDF, 23 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N757PY the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.