# NTSB ANC84FA059: Cessna 152, N45928, Anchorage, AK, April 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1984, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220664, -149.850662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2207&lon=-149.8507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84FA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84FA059

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Midair collision, approach
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Midair collision, takeoff
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

A STUDENT PLT IN A CESSNA 152, N45928, WAS INBOUND TO LAND ON RWY 33 AT MERRILL FIELD AT THE SAME TIME THAT ANOTHER STUDENT PLT IN CESSNA 152, N6479L, WAS DEPARTING FROM RWT 15. THE STUDENT IN N6479L WAS CLEARED FOR A 'CITY HIGH' DEPARTURE. AFTER TAKING OFF, HE TURNED EASTBOUND & CONVERGED WITH N45928 WHICH WAS ON A WESTERLY HEADING. N45928 HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ENTER TRAFFIC TO LAND ON RWY 33. TOWER PERSONEL ADVISED EACH PLT OF THE OTHER'S POSITION; HOWEVER, NEITHER PLT SAW THE OTHER ACFT UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO COLLIDING. THE VERTICAL STABILIZER OF N6479L HIT THE LOWER FUSELAGE OF N45928. BOTH ACFT LANDED SAFELY, BUT THE PLT OF N6479L HAD SOME DIFFICULTY SINCE THE RUDDER HAD BECOME JAMMED.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

A STUDENT PLT IN A CESSNA 152, N45928, WAS INBOUND TO LAND ON RWY 33 AT MERRILL FIELD AT THE SAME TIME THAT ANOTHER STUDENT PLT IN CESSNA 152, N6479L, WAS DEPARTING FROM RWT 15. THE STUDENT IN N6479L WAS CLEARED FOR A 'CITY HIGH' DEPARTURE. AFTER TAKING OFF, HE TURNED EASTBOUND & CONVERGED WITH N45928 WHICH WAS ON A WESTERLY HEADING. N45928 HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ENTER TRAFFIC TO LAND ON RWT 33. TOWER PERSONNEL ADVISED EACH PLT OF THE OTHER'S POSITION; HOWEVER, NEITHER PLT SAW THE OTHER ACFT UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO COLLIDING. THE VERTICAL STABILIZER OF N6479L HIT THE LOWER FUSELAGE OF N45928. BOTH ACFT LANDED SAFELY; BUT THE PLT OF N6479L HAD SOME DIFFICULTY SINCE THE RUDDER HAD BECOME JAMMED.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N45928](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45928), registered now, S/N 15282945, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282945
- Airframe hours: 3619
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Blake, doing business as Ak Aviation School
- Registered owner: James Ferguson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 25, 1983, 13 hours before
- Departed: MRI
- Destination: MRI
- Airport: MRI, Merrill, runway 33, 2,469 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N6479L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6479L-2013-11-08), registration cancelled 2013-11-08, S/N 15284411, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284411
- Airframe hours: 3114
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Silburs'S Flt Operations
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 24, 1984, 2 hours before
- Departed: MRI
- Destination: TKA, TALKEETNA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MRI, Merrill, runway 15, 2,469 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N45928; age 26; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 26 total, 26 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N6479L; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 40 total, 40 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840425014341A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840425014341A), Apr 25, 1984: Cessna 152, Anchorage, AK, Minor damage. Aircraft was approaching airport for landing when it collided with N6479L. Both aircraft landed safely.
- [Accident 19840425014342A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840425014342A), Apr 25, 1984: Cessna 152, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft was departing the pattern and collided with N45928 which was approaching airport for landing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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