# NTSB ATL90FA024: Beech C90, N3804F, Gadsden, AL, November 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 5, 1989, 11:38 local (17:38 UTC)
- Place: Gadsden, AL
- Coordinates: 34.010044, -86.009567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0100&lon=-86.0096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8104/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA024

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

FAILURE OF THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRCRAFT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE OTHER AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, takeoff - initial climb
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Midair collision, takeoff - initial climb
  - visual lookout - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

A BEECH C90 (N3804F) & A CESSNA 172 (N52244) COLLIDED AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT AGL AS THE 2 ACFT WERE TAKING OFF ON INTERSECTING RWYS AT AN UNCONTROLLED ARPT. THE BEECH PLTS WERE DEPARTING FROM RWY 6 WITH AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN, WHILE THE CESSNA PLTS WERE IN THE PATTERN ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, PERFORMING A TOUCH & GO. TWO ATP PILOTS WERE IN THE BEECH; AN INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) & A LOW-TIME STUDENT WERE IN THE CESSNA. BASED ON WITNESS INFORMATION, THE CESSNA CREW MADE AT LEAST 1 RADIO CALL ON UNICOM WHILE IN THE PATTERN BEFORE LNDG, AND ANOTHER CALL WHILE TAKING OFF. THE BEECH CREW REPORTEDLY MADE A RADIO CALL AS THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS BEGUN. NEITHER FLT CREW APPEARED TO TAKE ANY EVASIVE ACTION UNTIL JUST BEFORE IMPACT. THE BEECH PLTS HAD RECEIVED A FLT PLAN CLEARANCE ON ANOTHER FREQ SHORTLY BEFORE TAKING OFF.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N3804F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3804F-1990-11-21), registration cancelled 1990-11-21, S/N LJ947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C90
- Registry model: [Beech C90](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c90) (registry code 1152913) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LJ-947
- Airframe hours: 3449
- Engines: P&W PT6A-21 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gulf States Steel, Inc.
- Registered owner: Nevada Flyco, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 7, 1989, 70 hours before
- Destination: GSP, GREER, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GAD, Gadsen Muni, runway 6, 6,803 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N52244](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52244-1990-10-30), registration cancelled 1990-10-30, S/N 17274454 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274454
- Airframe hours: 4100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Services Of Gadsden
- Registered owner: Eagle Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 1989, 50 hours before
- Airport: GAD, Gadsen Muni, runway 18, 4,803 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N3804F; age 58; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total, 125 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days
- Pilot, aircraft N52244; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,600 total, 200 in this make and model, 101 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANB, 26 nm away

## 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 19891105044171A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891105044171A), Nov 5, 1989: Beech C90, Gadsden, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Collided with N52244 at runway intersection. Both on initial climb from intersection runways.
- [Accident 19891105044172A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891105044172A), Nov 5, 1989: Cessna 172P, Gadsden, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Collided with N3804F at runway intersection. Both had lifted off. Other aircraft was using inactive runway.

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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