# NTSB ATL96FA096: Cessna 152, N95396, Talladega, AL, June 27, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 1996, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Talladega, AL - Coordinates: 33.429107, -86.090644 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4291&lon=-86.0906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3653 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96FA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3653/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96FA096 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to see-and-avoid an antenna that was mounted on a Forest Service watch tower. The pilot's excessively low altitude flight was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - antenna (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis During flight, the airplane collided with an 18 foot section of an antenna that was installed on top of a U.S. Forest Service fire watch tower. The airplane then crashed about 300 feet north of the tower, and wreckage was found scattered over an area approximately 75 feet long and 45 feet wide. The airplane wreckage and engine compartment were further damaged by ground fire. Debris from the watch tower antenna was located in the main wreckage, and some antenna debris was also found several feet north of the main wreckage. No preimpact mechanical problem was found. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 27, 1996, at 0945 central daylight time, a Cessna C-152, N95396, collided with an antenna mounted on a fire watch tower on Horn Mountain near Talladega, Alabama. The business flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with a flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed; the private pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. The flight departed Chattanooga, Tennessee, at 0651 hours. On June 27, 1996, at 1823, Anniston Automated Flight Service Station issued an alert notice for N95396 a Cessna C-152 which never arrived at the destination airport. On June 28, 1996, at 1400 central daylight time, the aircraft wreckage was located at the 1700 foot level of Horn Mountain. There were no witnesses to the accident. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Information on the airplane is contained in this factual report on page 2 under the data field labeled "Aircraft Information." PERSONNEL INFORMATION Information on the First Pilot is included in this factual report on page 3 under the data file labeled "First Pilot." METOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Weather information is located at data field labeled " Weather information" on page three of this factual report. A review of weather data disclosed that conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice existed at the time of the accident. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the accident site disclosed that, the airplane collided with an eighteen foot section of an antenna installed on top of a U.S. Forest Service fire watch tower. The wreckage rested on a 100 degree magnetic heading and scattered over an area approximately 75 feet long and 45 feet wide. The fire damaged airplane wreckage rested in a wooded area 300 feet north of the fire watch tower. The wreckage examination also disclosed that the airframe center section, cockpit area and the engine compartment were fire damaged; the ground in the immediate vicinity of the airframe was also burned. Debris from the watch tower antenna was located in the main wreckage and some antenna debris was also found several feet north of the main wreckage (see attached wreckage diagram). The engine and propeller assemblies remained attached to the airframe in an upright position. Examination of the powerplant section of the airplane disclosed that the components installed on the accessory section of the engine were destroyed. The propeller blades exhibited chordwise twisting from the tip of the blades inboard approximately mid-span each blade. Examination of the fire damaged wreckage failed to disclose a mechanical problem. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The external examination of the pilot was conducted by Dr. Kenneth E. Warner at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Tuscalossa, Alabama, on July 1, 1996. There was no soft tissue available for a toxicological screen. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The aircraft wreckage was release to Phillip A. Powell (Insurance Adjustor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95396](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95396-2017-05-24), registration cancelled 2017-05-24, S/N 15285882, built 1984 (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: 152-85882 - Airframe hours: 6325 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fjo - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1995, 99 hours before - Departed: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN - Destination: MGM, MONTGOMERY, AL - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 149 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 9 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AND, 25 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960627015489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960627015489A), Jun 27, 1996: Cessna 152, Sylacauga, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. No narrative available 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.