# NTSB ATL95LA089: Cessna 152, N5527M, Fort Payne, AL, April 25, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1995, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Fort Payne, AL
- Coordinates: 34.450847, -85.689933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4508&lon=-85.6899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA089

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

THE INAEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY BOTH PILOTS. FACTORS WERE THE RADIO RECEPTION DIFFICULTIES OF THE 152 PILOT, HIS FAILURE TO MAKE POSITION REPORTS WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A LANDING, AND THE FAILURE OF THE 182 PILOT TO HAVE A SAFETY OBSERVER WHILE CONDUCTING VISUAL INSTRUMENT-PROCEDURES.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The inadequate visual lookout by both pilots. Factors were the radio reception difficulties of the 152 pilot, his failure to make position reports while maneuvering for a landing, and the failure of the 182 pilot to have a safety observer while conducting visual instrument-procedures.

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - radio communications - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Midair collision, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - not understood, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

A CESSNA 152 & A CESSNA 182 COLLIDED, NEARLY HEAD-ON, AT 2600 FEET ABOUT THREE MILES NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT. THE 152 PILOT WAS MANEUVERING THE AIRPLANE TO CONDUCT A LONG STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 22, & WAS  NORTHEAST BOUND, IN A CLIMB, AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. THE 182 PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A VISUAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 22, USING THE NDB APPROACH PROCEDURES. HE WAS SOUTHWEST BOUND, HAS JUST PASSED THE NDB INBOUND TO THE FIELD, & HAD BEGUN A DESCENT, WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE 152 PILOT SAW THE 182 A SPLIT SECOND BEFORE IMPACT & BEGAN AN EVASIVE DIVE. ACCORDING TO THE 182 PILOT, HE SAW THE 152 ABOUT 50 FEET BELOW HIM, SLIGHTLY LEFT OF HIS COURSE, & HAD INSUFFICIENT TIME TO BEGAN AN EVASIVE MANEUVER. THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL OF THE 182 CONTACTED THE VERTICAL STABILIZER OF THE 152, SEPARATING THE RUDDER OF THE 152. BOTH PILOTS WERE USING THE CTAF. ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR FOR BOTH PILOTS, WHO WAS ALSO FLYING AT THE TIME, THE 152 PILOT HAD NOT MADE ANY POSITION REPORTS. THE  152 PILOT REPORTED DIFFICULTIES HEARING INFORMATION PROVIDED TO HIM, BY UNICOM, REGARDING TRAFFIC.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

A CESSNA 152 & A CESSNA 182 COLLIDED, NEARLY HEAD-ON, AT 2600 FEET ABOUT THREE MILES NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT. THE 152 PILOT WAS MANEUVERING THE AIRPLANE TO CONDUCT A LONG STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 22, & WAS NORTHEAST BOUND, IN A CLIMB, AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. THE 182 PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A VISUAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 22, USING THE NDB APPROACH PROCEDURES. HE WAS SOUTHWEST BOUND, HAD JUST PASSED THE NDB INBOUND TO THE FIELD, & HAD BEGUN A DESCENT, WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE 152 PILOT SAW THE 182 A SPLIT SECOND BEFORE IMPACT & BEGAN AN EVASIVE DIVE. ACCORDING TO THE 182 PILOT, HE SAW THE 152 ABOUT 50 FEET BELOW HIM, SLIGHTLY LEFT OF HIS COURSE, & HAD INSUFFICIENT TIME TO BEGIN AN EVASIVE MANEUVER. THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL OF THE 182 CONTACTED THE VERTICAL STABILIZER OF THE 152, SEPARATING THE RUDDER OF THE 152. BOTH PILOTS WERE USING THE CTAF. ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR FOR BOTH PILOTS, WHO WAS ALSO FLYING AT THE TIME, THE 152 PILOT HAD NOT MADE ANY POSITION REPORTS. THE 152 PILOT REPORTED DIFFICULTIES HEARING INFORMATION PROVIDED TO HIM, BY UNICOM, REGARDING TRAFFIC.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

See ATL95-L-A089A narrative.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On April 25, 1995, about 1720 central daylight time, a  Cessna 152, N5527M, collided, in-flight, with a Cessna 182P, N20841, at Fort Payne, Alabama. Both aircraft were operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. There were no injuries to the student pilot in the 152, nor to the private pilot in the 182. The 152 was substantially damaged, and the 182 received minor damage. Both flights originated from Isbell Field, Fort Payne, Alabama, at 1600 and 1630, respectively, on the same day.

The two aircraft collided about three miles northeast of the airport, about 2600 feet, mean sea level. The collision occurred on the extended centerline of runway 4. The non-directional beacon that serves the airport is located 3.5 Nmi on a 041 degree bearing from the runway.

The student pilot of the Cessna 152 stated that he requested traffic advisories from the airport Unicom, via the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF), when he was about five to seven miles northwest of the airport at 2500 feet. He stated that he then maneuvered south of the airport to position the airplane for a long straight-in to runway 22. He understood from the CTAF that there was traffic, however, he reported difficulty understanding the radio transmissions, and did not understand the location of the traffic. Just prior to the collision, he was in a "descend [sic] status." "For a split second" he saw another airplane coming toward him, slightly above his altitude. He attempted to evade the airplane by diving.

The Cessna 182 pilot stated that he was conducting a visual approach to runway 22, using the NDB-A approach procedures as a guide. He reported that he had passed the radio beacon inbound to the airport, about 20 seconds prior to the collision, and had begun a 500 fpm descent. He stated that he was looking out of the airplane when he saw the 152 head-on, about 50 feet below and slightly left of his course. He took no evasive action, stating there was insufficient time before the collision. He stated that he was not wearing a vision restriction device during the solo flight. He reported that he announced on the CTAF that he was at the radio beacon, inbound to the airport.

The flight instructor for both pilots was airborne, at the time, and stated that he did not hear position reports from the student pilot in the Cessna 152.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N5527M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5527M-2006-04-18), registration cancelled 2006-04-18, S/N 15284603, 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: 15284603
- Airframe hours: 6256
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Valley Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 17, 1995, 6 hours before
- Departed: 4A9
- Airport: 4A9, Isbell Field, runway 22, 4,225 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N20841](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20841), registered now, S/N 18261248, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182P61248
- Airframe hours: 2534
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George G. Weatherly
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1993, 162 hours before
- Departed: 4A9
- Airport: 4A9, Isbell Field, runway 22, 4,225 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N5527M; age 47; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days
- Pilot, aircraft N20841; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 168 total, 101 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 4A9, 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 19950425008651A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950425008651A), Apr 25, 1995: Cessna 152, Fort Payne, AL, Substantial damage. Close in downwind collided with 182 N20841 that was on long NDB final. Failed to hear 182 position report.
- [Accident 19950425008672A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950425008672A), Apr 25, 1995: Cessna 182P, Fort Payne, AL, Minor damage. On long final NDB runway 22. Made postion report. Collided with 152 N5527M near head on that was on close downwind.

## Other investigations on N5527M (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL05CA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA097), Jun 16, 2005: Cessna 152 (N5527M), Fort Payne, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The intentional unauthorized use of a stolen aircraft by an unqualified person which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage to the airplane.

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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