# NTSB CHI92LA131: Cessna 152, N59ND, Branson, MO, April 23, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 23, 1992, 12:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Branson, MO - Location: 36.6246° N, 93.2934° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Branson, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6246&lon=-93.2934&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 15428 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15428/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA131 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND IN FAILING TO MAINTAIN DISTANCE SEPARATION FROM THE OTHER AIRCRAFT. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT IN FAILING TO MAINTAIN PROPER SEPARATION FROM THIS AIRCRAFT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, cruise - formation flying - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - distance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) - Midair collision, cruise - formation flying - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - distance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THIS AIRCRAFT WAS IN THE LEFT WING POSITION OF A FLIGHT OF FOUR AIRCRAFT WHICH WERE IN CRUISE FLIGHT IN A LOOSE DIAMOND FORMATION. ALL OF THE AIRCRAFT WERE OPERATED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA, AND WERE ENROUTE TO A COLLEGIATE FLYING COMPETITION. THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED INTO THE LEAD AIRCRAFT. THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COWLING HIT THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR OF THE LEAD AIRCRAFT. NEITHER AIRCRAFT COULD SUSTAIN FLIGHT AFTER THE COLLISION. BOTH AIRCRAFT MADE FORCED LANDINGS. FORMATION FLYING IS NOT A PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA FLIGHT SYLLABUS. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THIS AIRCRAFT WAS THE LEAD AIRCRAFT OF A FLIGHT OF FOUR AIRCRAFT IN CRUISE FLIGHT IN A LOOSE DIAMOND FORMATION. ALL FOUR AIRCRAFT WERE OPERATED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA, AND WERE ENROUTE TO A COLLEGIATE FLYING COMPETITION. THE AIRCRAFT IN THE LEFT WING POSITION HIT THIS AIRCRAFT IN THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. NEITHER AIRCRAFT COULD SUSTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT. BOTH AIRCRAFT MADE FORCED LANDINGS. FORMATION FLYING IS NOT A PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA FLIGHT SYLLABUS. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N59ND](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59ND-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 15285984, built 1985 (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: 15285984 - Airframe hours: 5323 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: University Of North Dakota - Registered owner: University Of North Dakota - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 29, 1992, 53 hours before - Departed: SGF, SPRINGFIELD, MO - Destination: LIT, LITTLE ROCK, AR - Flight plan: VFR ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N57ND](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57ND-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 15285958, built 1985 (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: 15285958 - Airframe hours: 5473 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: University Of North Dakota - Registered owner: University Of North Dakota - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 13, 1992 - Departed: SGF, SPRINGFIELD, MO - Destination: LIT, LITTLE ROCK, AR - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N59ND; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 480 total, 180 in this make and model, 315 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N57ND; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 200 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 19 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SGF, 55 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 19920423018312A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920423018312A), Apr 23, 1992: Cessna 152, Branson, MO, Substantial damage. Lead in 3 plane formation was struck by left wing position,N57ND,when it drifted into lead plane. Landed in pasture - [Accident 19920423018311A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920423018311A), Apr 23, 1992: Cessna 152, Branson, MO, Substantial damage. In loose formation flight drifted into and collided with lead N59ND.PIC injured,SIC tried landing in lake,hit trees 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.