Probable cause
The student pilot's failuire to maintain directional control during takeoff.
NTSB analysis
At rotation during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered off the runway, crossed a taxiway, struck a parked helicopter, and impacted cement pilings before erupting in flames. The student pilot reported that he attempted to correct back to the runway with right aileron and rudder, and when the airplane continued off the runway, he tried to close the throttle and stop the airplane. A ground witness reported that the engine noise increased as the airplane came toward the helicopter as if the pilot were attempting to take off. The airplane was destroyed by the ground fire and no meaningful examinations could be made of the control system or the brakes.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA073 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 5, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Long Beach, California
- Nearest airport
- Long Beach-Daughtery Field Air (LGB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 152
- N-number
- N45969
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.