# NTSB CHI03FA284: Cessna 172S, N53033, Lake Elmo, MN, August 22, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 2003, 17:26 local (22:26 UTC) - Place: Lake Elmo, MN - Coordinates: 44.953334, -92.883331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9533&lon=-92.8833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Cessna Aircraft, FAA-Minneapolis FSDO, The New Piper Aircraft Company - NTSB case key (mKey): 57777 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03FA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57777/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA284 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) Both pilots failed to maintain adequate visual lookout and did not maintain clearance from the other aircraft. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) Both pilots failed to maintain adequate visual lookout and did not maintain clearance from the other aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilots of both aircraft (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilots of both aircraft (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - Midair collision, cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilots of both aircraft (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilots of both aircraft (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The Cessna and Piper airplanes were destroyed when they impacted terrain after a mid-air collision. Both the Cessna and Piper aircraft were flying beneath the positively controlled Class B airspace of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Both airplanes were operating under visual flight rules, and both airplanes were transmitting the 1200 VFR beacon code on their respective transponders. Neither airplane was required to be in radio contact with air traffic control. The student pilot in the Cessna who survived the accident reported that the CFI let him take the flight controls while they were flying straight and level. He reported that he was flying the airplane and was looking straight ahead, trying to maintain straight and level flight. He reported that the CFI put her hand on the throttle and started explaining a climb procedure. He reported that while the CFI was explaining the climb procedure, the airplane was hit by another airplane on the right side. He reported that he never saw the other airplane before the impact and that he didn't think the CFI saw it either. He reported that the CFI did not grab the controls or make any "violent maneuvers" prior to the impact. Radar data indicated that the Cessna departed Downtown St. Paul Airport (STP) at approximately 1719 to the northwest and turned right to an easterly heading, paralleling interstate highway I-94 to the east. The Cessna climbed to approximately 2,300-2,400 feet pressure altitude about 4 minutes after takeoff and remained at that altitude until impact, approximately 2 minutes later. The Cessna was traveling approximately 98 knots average ground speed during the 2 minutes prior to impact. The Piper departed South St. Paul Municipal Airport (SGS) at approximately 1719. Approximately 4 minutes after takeoff, the Piper turned to the northeast on a heading of about 027 degrees. The Piper climbed from about 1,900 feet pressure altitude to about 2,300 feet pressure altitude during the 2 minutes prior to impact. The relative bearing between the Piper and the Cessna was about 60 degrees. The radar data indicated the Piper was traveling at approximately 107 knots average ground speed during the 2 minutes prior to impact. Approximately 36 inches of the Cessna's outboard right wing structure was found lodged in the wing root of the Piper's left wing, and was located with the main wreckage of the Piper. The Piper's left wing exhibited a span-wise crease about five feet long in the lower wing skins forward of the flap. The Cessna's right wing leading edge had two distinct dents that were spaced a similar distance apart as the Piper's wing tie-down ring and jack pad. The aft left side of the Piper's fuselage in the vicinity of the registration number exhibited black, rubber-like transfer marks. The right tire from the Cessna's main landing gear had white scuff marks on the right side of the tire. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The Cessna and Piper airplanes were destroyed when they impacted terrain after a mid-air collision. Both the Cessna and Piper aircraft were flying beneath the positively controlled Class B airspace of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Both airplanes were operating under visual flight rules, and both airplanes were transmitting the 1200 VFR beacon code on their respective transponders. Neither airplane was required to be in radio contact with air traffic control. The student pilot in the Cessna who survived the accident reported that the CFI let him take the flight controls while they were flying straight and level. He reported that he was flying the airplane and was looking straight ahead, trying to maintain straight and level flight. He reported that the CFI put her hand on the throttle and started explaining a climb procedure. He reported that while the CFI was explaining the climb procedure, the airplane was hit by another airplane on the right side. He reported that he never saw the other airplane before the impact and that he didn't think the CFI saw it either. He reported that the CFI did not grab the controls or make any "violent maneuvers" prior to the impact. Radar data indicated that the Cessna departed Downtown St. Paul Airport (STP) at approximately 1719 to the northwest and turned right to an easterly heading, paralleling interstate highway I-94 to the east. The Cessna climbed to approximately 2,300-2,400 feet pressure altitude about 4 minutes after takeoff and remained at that altitude until impact, approximately 2 minutes later. The Cessna was traveling approximately 98 knots average ground speed during the 2 minutes prior to impact. The Piper departed South St. Paul Municipal Airport (SGS) at approximately 1719. Approximately 4 minutes after takeoff, the Piper turned to the northeast on a heading of about 027 degrees. The Piper climbed from about 1,900 feet pressure altitude to about 2,300 feet pressure altitude during the 2 minutes prior to impact. The relative bearing between the Piper and the Cessna was about 60 degrees. The radar data indicated the Piper was traveling at approximately 107 knots average ground speed during the 2 minutes prior to impact. Approximately 36 inches of the Cessna's outboard right wing structure was found lodged in the wing root of the Piper's left wing, and was located with the main wreckage of the Piper. The Piper's left wing exhibited a span-wise crease about five feet long in the lower wing skins forward of the flap. The Cessna's right wing leading edge had two distinct dents that were spaced a similar distance apart as the Piper's wing tie-down ring and jack pad. The aft left side of the Piper's fuselage in the vicinity of the registration number exhibited black, rubber-like transfer marks. The right tire from the Cessna's main landing gear had white scuff marks on the right side of the tire. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 22, 2003, at 1726 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N53033, operated by Wings, Inc., and a Piper PA-28-181, N38416, operated by the Prescott Flying Club, were destroyed when they impacted terrain after a mid-air collision near Lake Elmo, Minnesota. The certified flight instructor (CFI) in the Cessna received fatal injuries, and the student pilot received serious injuries. The private pilot and passenger in the Piper received fatal injuries. The Cessna departed the Downtown St. Paul Airport (STP), St. Paul, Minnesota, about 1719 on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, and was flying east to practice flight maneuvers. The Piper departed the South St. Paul Municipal Airport (SGS), South St. Paul, Minnesota, about 1719 on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, and was en route to Silver Bay, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Cessna had not filed a flight plan. The Piper had filed a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan. The student pilot in the Cessna reported that he met the CFI at STP about 1630 for his first instructional flight, although it was the second flight with the CFI. The first flight with the CFI had been an introductory flight. He did a detailed preflight of the airplane before departure. The purpose of the flight was to practice basic flight maneuvers such as straight and level flight, climbs, turns, and descents. He reported that the CFI was flying the airplane during takeoff, and they departed to the east on the north side of interstate highway I-94. He reported that the CFI explained the function of the flight controls and airplane's instruments, and let him practice for 30-60 seconds. He reported that the CFI let him take the flight controls while they were flying straight and level for about 10 minutes. He reported that he was flying the airplane and was looking straight ahead trying to maintain straight and level flight. He reported that the CFI put her hand on the throttle and started explaining the climb procedure. He reported that while the CFI was explaining the climb procedure, the airplane was hit by another airplane on the right side of the airplane. He reported that he never saw the airplane before the impact and that he didn't think the CFI saw it either. He reported that the CFI did not grab the controls or make any "violent maneuvers" prior to the impact. He reported that the airplane "went into some sort of dive" and impacted a grove of trees. He reported that he remained conscious during the impact with the trees and was able to extract himself out of the wreckage after the airplane came to a stop. Five witnesses reported observing the airplanes just prior to the mid-air collision. Four of the witnesses reported that one of the airplanes was traveling in an eastbound direction prior to impact. There was no general agreement as to the direction the other airplane was traveling. The headings for the direction of travel for the second airplane included: westbound, eastbound, northbound, and southbound. The witnesses observed one of the airplanes spiraling downward with one wing missing. The other airplane was observed descending in a curved arc and impacting trees. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The CFI in the Cessna was a commercial pilot with single and multi-engine land ratings. She held a Certified Flight Instructor certificate with airplane single engine and instrument airplane ratings. She held a First Class medical certificate. Her pilot logbook indicated that she had logged a total of 1,372 flight hours of which 951 were logged as a flight instructor. She had logged 139 hours of providing instruction in the last 90 days and 44 hours of providing instruction in the last 30 days. The pilot in the Piper was a private pilot with a single engine land rating. He held a Third Class medical certificate. The pilot's logbook indicated that he passed his Private Pilot checkride on August 13, 2003. The logbook indicated that the pilot had a total of 99 hours of total flight time. He had flown 33 hours in the last 90 days, and 14 hours in the last 30 days. The Piper airplane's sign-out log indicated that the pilot had flown 1.5 hours in the accident airplane on August 19, 2004. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The Cessna 172S, serial number 172S9258, was a high wing airplane that seated four and had a maximum gross weight of 2,400 pounds. The engine was a 180 horsepower Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine. The last 100 hour inspection was conducted on July 18, 2003. The airplane had flown 78 hours since the last 100 hour inspection and had a total tachometer time of 559 hours at the time of the accident. The Piper PA-28-181, serial number 28-7790549, was a low wing airplane that seated four and had a maximum gross weight of 2,550 pounds. The engine was a 180 horsepower Lycoming O-360-A4M engine. The airplane had flown 240 hours since the last annual inspection on November 1, 2002, and had a total of tachometer time of 7,792 hours at the time of the inspection. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 1753, the weather conditions reported at STP were: Winds calm, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 29 degrees C, dewpoint 11 degrees C, altimeter 30.09 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The collision occurred near the intersection of County Road 17 (CR 17) and 3rd Street Place North, Lake Elmo, Minnesota. The Cessna impacted terrain on the west side of CR17 in a thick wooded area approximately 111 feet west of the roadway. The coordinates for the Cessna location were 44 degrees 57.241 minutes north, 092 degrees 53.008 minutes west. The Piper impacted terrain on the east side of CR 17 approximately 205 feet east of the roadway near a practice putting green on a golf course. The coordinates for the Piper location were 44 degrees 57.257 minutes north, 092 degrees 52.932 minutes west. The main wreckage of the Piper was located approximately 383 feet to the east northeast of the Cessna main wreckage. The right wing of the Cessna was detached and located with the Cessna main wreckage. The leading edge of the right wing was crushed aft to the spar. The outboard section of the right wing was shredded. Approximately 36 inches of the Cessna's outboard right wing structure was found lodged in the left wing root of the Piper, and was located with the main wreckage of the Piper. Cessna parts at the Piper site included two Cessna wing rib sections, part numbers 0523035-2 and 0523515-7. No Piper parts were identified at the Cessna site. The Piper's left wing exhibited a span-wise crease about five feet long in the lower wing skins forward of the flap. The Cessna's right wing leading edge had two distinct dents that were spaced a similar distance apart as the Piper's wing tie-down ring and jack pad. A series of scrapes approximately one-inch apart were observed on the Cessna's right wing. Similar rivet spacing existed on the Piper wing. The left side of the Piper's fuselage was crushed. The aft left fuselage in the vicinity of the registration number exhibited black, rubber-like transfer marks. The right tire from the Cessna's main landing gear had white scuff marks on the right side of the tire. Both airplanes were inspected for flight control continuity. The post accident inspection of both airplane's flight controls revealed no preexisting anomalies that could be associated with a pre-impact condition. Both blades of Cessna's propeller exhibited gouges and dents to the leading edges, and chordwise scrapes and gouges to the chambered side of the blades. One of the Cessna propeller blade tips, about four inches in length, had separated from the propeller blade and was found at the main wreckage site of the Cessna. One of the Piper's propeller blades exhibited gouges and dents to the leading edge, and chordwise scrapes and gouges to the chambered side of the blade. The othe ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 22, 2003, at 1726 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N53033, operated by Wings, Inc., and a Piper PA-28-181, N38416, operated by the Prescott Flying Club, were destroyed when they impacted terrain after a mid-air collision near Lake Elmo, Minnesota. The certified flight instructor (CFI) in the Cessna received fatal injuries, and the student pilot received serious injuries. The private pilot and passenger in the Piper received fatal injuries. The Cessna departed the Downtown St. Paul Airport (STP), St. Paul, Minnesota, about 1719 on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, and was flying east to practice flight maneuvers. The Piper departed the South St. Paul Municipal Airport (SGS), South St. Paul, Minnesota, about 1719 on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, and was en route to Silver Bay, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Cessna had not filed a flight plan. The Piper had filed a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan. The student pilot in the Cessna reported that he met the CFI at STP about 1630 for his first instructional flight, although it was the second flight with the CFI. The first flight with the CFI had been an introductory flight. He did a detailed preflight of the airplane before departure. The purpose of the flight was to practice basic flight maneuvers such as straight and level flight, climbs, turns, and descents. He reported that the CFI was flying the airplane during takeoff, and they departed to the east on the north side of interstate highway I-94. He reported that the CFI explained the function of the flight controls and airplane's instruments, and let him practice for 30-60 seconds. He reported that the CFI let him take the flight controls while they were flying straight and level for about 10 minutes. He reported that he was flying the airplane and was looking straight ahead trying to maintain straight and level flight. He reported that the CFI put her hand on the throttle and started explaining the climb procedure. He reported that while the CFI was explaining the climb procedure, the airplane was hit by another airplane on the right side of the airplane. He reported that he never saw the airplane before the impact and that he didn't think the CFI saw it either. He reported that the CFI did not grab the controls or make any "violent maneuvers" prior to the impact. He reported that the airplane "went into some sort of dive" and impacted a grove of trees. He reported that he remained conscious during the impact with the trees and was able to extract himself out of the wreckage after the airplane came to a stop. Five witnesses reported observing the airplanes just prior to the mid-air collision. Four of the witnesses reported that one of the airplanes was traveling in an eastbound direction prior to impact. There was no general agreement as to the direction the other airplane was traveling. The headings for the direction of travel for the second airplane included: westbound, eastbound, northbound, and southbound. The witnesses observed one of the airplanes spiraling downward with one wing missing. The other airplane was observed descending in a curved arc and impacting trees. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The CFI in the Cessna was a commercial pilot with single and multi-engine land ratings. She held a Certified Flight Instructor certificate with airplane single engine and instrument airplane ratings. She held a First Class medical certificate. Her pilot logbook indicated that she had logged a total of 1,372 flight hours of which 951 were logged as a flight instructor. She had logged 139 hours of providing instruction in the last 90 days and 44 hours of providing instruction in the last 30 days. The pilot in the Piper was a private pilot with a single engine land rating. He held a Third Class medical certificate. The pilot's logbook indicated that he passed his Private Pilot checkride on August 13, 2003. The logbook indicated that the pilot had a total of 99 hours of total flight time. He had flown 33 hours in the last 90 days, and 14 hours in the last 30 days. The Piper airplane's sign-out log indicated that the pilot had flown 1.5 hours in the accident airplane on August 19, 2004. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The Cessna 172S, serial number 172S9258, was a high wing airplane that seated four and had a maximum gross weight of 2,400 pounds. The engine was a 180 horsepower Lycoming IO-360-L2A engine. The last 100 hour inspection was conducted on July 18, 2003. The airplane had flown 78 hours since the last 100 hour inspection and had a total tachometer time of 559 hours at the time of the accident. The Piper PA-28-181, serial number 28-7790549, was a low wing airplane that seated four and had a maximum gross weight of 2,550 pounds. The engine was a 180 horsepower Lycoming O-360-A4M engine. The airplane had flown 240 hours since the last annual inspection on November 1, 2002, and had a total of tachometer time of 7,792 hours at the time of the inspection. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 1753, the weather conditions reported at STP were: Winds calm, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 29 degrees C, dewpoint 11 degrees C, altimeter 30.09 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The collision occurred near the intersection of County Road 17 (CR 17) and 3rd Street Place North, Lake Elmo, Minnesota. The Cessna impacted terrain on the west side of CR17 in a thick wooded area approximately 111 feet west of the roadway. The coordinates for the Cessna location were 44 degrees 57.241 minutes north, 092 degrees 53.008 minutes west. The Piper impacted terrain on the east side of CR 17 approximately 205 feet east of the roadway near a practice putting green on a golf course. The coordinates for the Piper location were 44 degrees 57.257 minutes north, 092 degrees 52.932 minutes west. The main wreckage of the Piper was located approximately 383 feet to the east northeast of the Cessna main wreckage. The right wing of the Cessna was detached and located with the Cessna main wreckage. The leading edge of the right wing was crushed aft to the spar. The outboard section of the right wing was shredded. Approximately 36 inches of the Cessna's outboard right wing structure was found lodged in the left wing root of the Piper, and was located with the main wreckage of the Piper. Cessna parts at the Piper site included two Cessna wing rib sections, part numbers 0523035-2 and 0523515-7. No Piper parts were identified at the Cessna site. The Piper's left wing exhibited a span-wise crease about five feet long in the lower wing skins forward of the flap. The Cessna's right wing leading edge had two distinct dents that were spaced a similar distance apart as the Piper's wing tie-down ring and jack pad. A series of scrapes approximately one-inch apart were observed on the Cessna's right wing. Similar rivet spacing existed on the Piper wing. The left side of the Piper's fuselage was crushed. The aft left fuselage in the vicinity of the registration number exhibited black, rubber-like transfer marks. The right tire from the Cessna's main landing gear had white scuff marks on the right side of the tire. Both airplanes were inspected for flight control continuity. The post accident inspection of both airplane's flight controls revealed no preexisting anomalies that could be associated with a pre-impact condition. Both blades of Cessna's propeller exhibited gouges and dents to the leading edges, and chordwise scrapes and gouges to the chambered side of the blades. One of the Cessna propeller blade tips, about four inches in length, had separated from the propeller blade and was found at the main wreckage site of the Cessna. One of the Piper's propeller blades exhibited gouges and dents to the leading edge, and chordwise scrapes and gouges to the chambered side of the blade. The othe ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N53033](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53033-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 172S9258, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172S - Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172S9258 - Airframe hours: 559 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Wings, Inc. - Registered owner: B & P Aircraft LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 18, 2003, 78 hours before - Departed: STP, St. Paul, MN ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N38416](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38416-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N 28-7790549, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-7790549 - Airframe hours: 7792 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Prescott Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2002, 240 hours before - Departed: SGS, South St. Paul, MN - Destination: BFW, Silver Bay, MN - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor, aircraft N53033; age 30; injuries: fatal; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 18, 2002; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,372 total, 1,253 as pilot in command, 139 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days - Student pilot, aircraft N53033; injuries: serious - Pilot, aircraft N38416; age 39; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review August 13, 2003; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 99 total, 92 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: STP, 8 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 20030822023391A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030822023391A), Aug 22, 2003: Cessna 172S, Lake Elmo, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) On aug 22, 2003, a Cessna 172, N53033, and a Piper PA-28-181, N38416 collided mid air at approximately 1500 feet AGL. This collision occurred… - [Accident 20030822023392A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030822023392A), Aug 22, 2003: Piper PA28181, Lake Elmo, MN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (-23) On aug 22, 2003 a Cessna 172, N53033, and a Piper PA-28-181, N38416 collided mid air at approximately 1500 feet AGL. This collision occurred… 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.