# NTSB ATL90FA095: Embraer EMB-120, N217AS, Gadsden, AL, April 9, 1990 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: April 9, 1990, 18:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Gadsden, AL - Coordinates: 34.010746, -86.010406 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0107&lon=-86.0104&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal, 7 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8121 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8121/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA095 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE SUN'S GLARE, WHICH RESTRICTED THE VISION OF THE CESSNA 172 PILOT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (cause) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - visual/aural perception, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - Midair collision, cruise - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis (aircraft 2) DRG DEP FM RWY 24 WITH AN IFR CLNC, AN ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINE FLT (EMBRAER EMB-120, N217AS) ENTERED A LEFT TURN TO A HDG OF EAST & CLIMBED TO AN ASSIGNED ALT OF 5000' MSL. BEFORE RADAR CONTACT WAS ESTABLISHED WITH ATC, THE EMB-120 CONVERGED WITH A CAP CESSNA 172, N99501. THE CESSNA WAS HDG WESTBOUND TOWARD THE SETTING SUN. SUBSEQUENTLY, A HEAD-ON COLLISION OCCURRED ABOUT 2-1/2 MI SOUTH OF THE ARPT. DRG IMPACT, THE RGT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER OF THE EMB-120 SEPD FROM THE ACFT, BUT IT CONTD FLYING TO A SAFE LNDG. THE CESSNA, HOWEVER, ENTERED AN UNCTLD DSCNT & CRASHED. A WITNESS, WHO SAW THE COLLISION, DID NOT NOTE ANY EVASIVE ACTION BY EITHER ACFT BEFORE IMPACT. THE CREW OF THE EMB-120 RPRTD THAT THEY SAW THE CESSNA MOMENTS BEFORE IMPACT. THE CAPT OF THE EMB-120 SAID HE TOOK IMMEDIATE EVASIVE ACTION BY 'PUSHING' THE NOSE DOWN, BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION. A FLT ATTENDANT ON THE EMB-120 RECALLED A 'THUMP' BEFORE THE ACFT STARTED A DSCNT. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N217AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N217AS-2010-04-08), registration cancelled 2010-04-08, S/N 120.011, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EMBRAER EMB-120 - Registry model: [Embraer EMB-120RT](https://openairdocs.org/model/embraer-emb-120rt) (registry code 3260202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 120011 - Engines: P&W PW118 1800 horsepower turbo prop; P&W PW118 1800 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Atlantic Southeast - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: GAD, GADSDEN, AL - Destination: ATL, ATLANTA, GA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: runway 24, 6,803 × 150 ft ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N99501](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99501-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 17276455, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17276455 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Civil Air Patrol Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GAD, GADSDEN, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N217AS; age 56; 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: 8,352 total, 903 in this make and model, 5,894 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N99501; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, invalid medical for flight; toxicology performed; flight hours: 224 total, 190 in this make and model, 213 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GAD, 3 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 19900409011582A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900409011582A), Apr 9, 1990: Emb EMB120, Gadsden, AL, Substantial damage. Tried avoid opposite direction N99501 that struck his empennage and broke up. - [Accident 19900409011581A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900409011581A), Apr 9, 1990: Cessna 172P, Gadsen, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Westbound,struck tail of eastbound N217AS and broke up. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.