# NTSB ATL96LA055: Cessna 152, N151FC, Arlington, TN, February 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 24, 1996, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Arlington, TN - Coordinates: 35.879333, -86.630989 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8793&lon=-86.6310&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3697 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3697/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA055 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 150, N63434, to see and avoid the Cessna 152, N151FC. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 150, N63434, to see and avoid the Cessna 152, N151FC. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, landing - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Midair collision, landing - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Occurrence ## Analysis (aircraft 2) According to the flight instructor on board the Cessna 152, N151FC, while in the traffic pattern , the student pilot radioed their landing intentions over the UNICOM frequency. The pilot of the Cessna 150, N63434, stated that he recalled hearing the radio transmissions and was aware of the Cessna 152. The Cessna 150 pilot also stated that he believed that both airplanes entered the traffic pattern at approximately the same time but the Cessna 152 was at a lower altitude. The collision occurred about two feet above the runway when the Cessna 150 landed on top of the Cessna 152. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) According to the flight instructor on board the Cessna 152, N151FC, while in the traffic pattern , the student pilot radioed their landing intentions over the UNICOM frequency. The pilot of the Cessna 150, N63434, stated that he recalled hearing the radio transmissions and was aware of the Cessna 152. The Cessna 150 pilot also stated that he believed that both airplanes entered the traffic pattern at approximately the same time but the Cessna 152 was at a lower altitude. The collision occurred about two feet above the runway when the Cessna 150 landed on top of the Cessna 152. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) SEE ATL96LA055A FOR THE FACTUAL NARRATIVE. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On February 24, 1996, at 1400 central standard time, a Cessna 152, N151FC, and a Cessna 150, N63434, collided inflight over runway 33 while both airplanes were attempting to land at Arlington Municipal Airport in Arlington, Tennessee. The Cessna 152 instructional flight, and the Cessna 150 pleasure flight were operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plans filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage, and there were no injuries in either airplane. The Cessna 152 departed Olive Branch, Mississippi, at 1300 hours. The Cessna 150 departed Arlington, Tennessee, at 1330 hours. After flying several minutes, the Cessna 150 pilot, entered the traffic pattern for Arlington Municipal Airport. According to the flight instructor in the Cessna 152, while in the traffic pattern at Arlington, the student pilot radioed their landing intentions over the UNICOM frequency. The pilot of the Cessna 150 stated that he recalled hearing the radio transmissions from the Cessna 152, and was aware of the Cessna 152. The Cessna 150 pilot also stated that he believed that the Cessna 152 was at a lower pattern altitude and he never established visual contact with the Cessna 152. As the Cessna 152 started the flare to touchdown, the pilot noticed that the nose attitude became steeper and attempts to control the left yawing tendency of the airplane failed. After the collision, the airplane continued the left yaw and rotated 180 degrees to a 140 degree magnetic heading. Examination of the aircraft disclosed that Cessna 150 collided with the vertical fin and the aft portion of the left wing assembly of the Cessna 152. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N151FC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N151FC-1998-02-13), registration cancelled 1998-02-13, S/N 15284200 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 152284200 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Douglas Aviation - Registered owner: H.S. Spillars - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: OLV, OLIVE BRANCH, MS - Airport: LHC, Arlington Municipal, runway 33, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N63434](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63434-2013-01-18), registration cancelled 2013-01-18, S/N 15077310, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1577310 - Airframe hours: 1509 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John R. Wilkerson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1996 - Departed: LHC - Airport: LHC, Arlington Municipal, runway 33, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N151FC; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,402 total, 434 in this make and model, 1,259 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N63434; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 639 total, 331 in this make and model, 560 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MEM, 38 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 19960224002569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960224002569A), Feb 24, 1996: Cessna 152, Arlington, TN, Substantial damage. Aircraft was landing on runway, aircraft landed on top of left wing, lost control on runway and crashed. - [Accident 19960224002629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960224002629A), Feb 24, 1996: Cessna 150M, Arlington, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed on top of the left wing of another aircraft that was landing on the 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. --- 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.