# NTSB ATL96LA063: Cessna 172RG, N6612V, Gulf Shores, AL, March 10, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 1996, 15:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Gulf Shores, AL - Coordinates: 30.270301, -87.699081 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2703&lon=-87.6991&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3705 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3705/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA063 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout. A factor was the lack of position reports via radio by the pilot of the helicopter. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout. A factor was the lack of position reports via radio by the pilot of the helicopter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - radio communications - not used, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - radio communications - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The Cessna 172RG and a Hughes 269 helicopter, collided about 150 feet above the ground on the final approach course for runway 9. The Cessna was on the final approach for landing on runway 9, while the helicopter was proceeding south southeast across the final approach course to land at a hangar on the south side of the airport. The helicopter pilot had just completed hovering practice on the north side of the airport, and had circled north northwest, west, south, and then headed southeast to the landing area. Based upon the reported, damage, the helicopter main rotor contacted the left flap and horizontal stabilizer/elevator of the Cessna. The Cessna pilot stated he reported his position as he entered right base for runway 9, and as he turned onto final at 500 feet above ground. The Hughes pilot did not report making any radio transmissions. Both pilots stated they glimpsed the opposing aircraft just prior to the collision. Both pilots reported taking evasive action, which was ineffectual. The Cessna continued and was landed on the runway, while the helicopter pilot executed an autorotation and landed near the collision site. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The Cessna 172RG and a Hughes 269 helicopter, collided about 150 feet above the ground on the final approach course for runway 9. The Cessna was on the final approach for landing on runway 9, while the helicopter was proceeding south southeast across the final approach course to land at a hangar on the south side of the airport. The helicopter pilot had just completed hovering practice on the north side of the airport, and had circled north northwest, west, south, and then headed southeast to the landing area. Based upon the reported damage, the helicopter main rotor contacted the left flap and horizontal stabilizer/elevator of the Cessna. The Cessna pilot stated he reported his position as he entered right base for runway 9, and as he turned onto final at 500 feet above ground. The Hughes pilot did not report making any radio transmissions. Both pilots stated they glimpsed the opposing aircraft just prior to the collision. Both pilots reported taking evasive action, which was ineffectual. The Cessna continued and was landed on the runway, while the helicopter pilot executed an autorotation and landed near the collision site. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) See Narrative ATL96LA063A ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On March 10, 1996, about 1540 central standard time, a Cessna 172RG airplane, N6612V, and a Hughes 269C helicopter, N7480F, collided in-flight while on approach for landing on runway 9 at the Jack Edwards Airport Gulf Shores, Alabama. Both aircraft were being operated by the pilots under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. There were no injuries to the airline transport pilot of the Cessna, the commercial pilot of the Hughes, or the passengers. A flight plan was not filed for the local personal flight of either aircraft. Both aircraft had departed Gulf Shores earlier in the afternoon. The pilot of the Cessna reported entering right base for runway 9. He stated that he turned onto the final approach at an altitude of about 500 feet, and announced that position on the Unicom radio frequency, as he had announced his position upon entering base. About 150 feet above the ground he noticed the Hughes on his left side, coming toward him on a south-southeasterly heading. The Cessna pulled up and to the right. According to the pilot, the left flap and the left horizontal stabilizer were cut as a result of the collision. After the collision, the Cessna was landed on runway 9. The pilot of the helicopter reported that he had been hovering over the taxiway at the north end of runway 35 for about 20 minutes. During that time he had noted traffic using runway 35. He departed from the hover practice to the north northeast, to circle to the south for landing at T-hangars located on the south side of the airport. The helicopter pilot stated that as he crossed the approach course for runway 9, he saw the Cessna "just over and just behind me and to my right." Following the collision, the helicopter pilot landed just below the point of impact. The helicopter pilot did not report making any radio transmissions. He stated in his report that there was damage to two rotor blades, and the landing gear. Both pilots reported taking evasive action: the Cessna pilot pulling up and right, and the Hughes pilot turning left while attempting to descend. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N6612V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6612V), registered now, S/N 172RG0781, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172RG - Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172RG0781 - Airframe hours: 2229 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James D. Jeter - Registered owner: Gulf Shores Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 13, 1995, 20 hours before - Departed: AL15 - Airport: AL15, Jack Edwards, runway 9, 5,399 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N7480F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7480F-2023-01-14), registration cancelled 2023-01-14, S/N 170570, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269C - Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 170570 - Airframe hours: 3596 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald T. Morgan - Registered owner: Skycopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1995, 27 hours before - Departed: AL15 - Airport: AL15, Jack Edwards, runway 9, 5,399 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N6612V; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,895 total, 2 in this make and model, 5,600 as pilot in command, 229 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N7480F; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,197 total, 949 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 12 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BFM, 15 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 19960310003792A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960310003792A), Mar 10, 1996: Cessna 172RG, Gulfshores, AL, Substantial damage. On final saw a plane on collision course. Tried to evade but was struck by rotors. Landed safe. - [Accident 19960310003791A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960310003791A), Mar 10, 1996: Hughes 269C, Gulfshores, AL, Substantial damage. Crossing runway 09 to land at hangers collided with 172 N6612V that was on final for 09. No radio reports by 269C. 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.