Cessna 152 N24516 accident, Houma, LA, Sep 3, 1989 · NTSB FTW89FA159

Probable cause

The failure of both pilots to see-and-avoid each other's aircraft (inadequate visual lookout). A probable factor was: failure of either pilot to issue a traffic advisory.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Midair collisionManeuvering

Traffic advisory - not issuedPilot in commandFactor

Traffic advisory - not issuedPilot of other aircraftFactor

Visual lookout - inadequatePilot in commandCause

Visual lookout - inadequatePilot of other aircraftCause

In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Midair collisionClimb - to cruise

Traffic advisory - not issuedPilot in commandFactor

Traffic advisory - not issuedPilot of other aircraftFactor

Visual lookout - inadequatePilot in commandCause

Visual lookout - inadequatePilot of other aircraftCause

In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

A student plt in Cessna 152, N24516, took off on rwy 18 to practice tfc pattern work & perform touch & go lndgs. Also, an ATP plt in aerospatiale AS-355F-1, N5796P, departed the helicopter opns area at the north end of the arpt on a psng flt to a hospital about 3 mi to the nw. The tower had closed earlier (at 1800 CDT). Svrl arpt psnl were on duty (including psnl at operator facilities); those interviewed, did not recall hearing a radio adzy fm either plt. At about 1846 CDT, the 2 acft collided about 1.4 mi nw of the arpt at an estd alt of 500 to 600 ft. witnesses rprtd that the helicopter was climbing on a nw hdg, while the Cessna was in lvl flt. One witness thought the Cessna had turned onto a base leg for rwy 12. Just before impact, the Cessna entered an abrupt left climbing turn & rolled out of the turn slightly abv & to the rgt of the helicopter. Subsequently, they converged & the helicopter's main rotor blades struck the left side of the Cessna, then both crashed. The helicopter was not observed to take evasive actn.

Aircraft · 2

Registration: N24516
Reported as: Cessna 152
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 15208304
Airframe hours: 4,048
Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C, 125 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Destroyed
Flight: Instructional · Part 91
Registered owner: Walker-Watts Aviation, Inc
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
Last inspection: 100 hour · July 30, 1989 · 55 hours before
Departed: HUM
Destination: HUM
Airport: HUM · Terrebonne, runway 18, 5,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

N24516Registration cancelled Jul 16, 1990 · Cessna 152S/N 15280304 Airframe modelCessna 152

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Registration: N5796P
Reported as: Aerospatiale AS-355F-1
Category: Helicopter
Serial number: 5163
Airframe hours: 6,071
Engine: Allison 250-C20F, 420 horsepower, turbo shaft
Damage: Destroyed
Fire: On-Ground
Flight: Positioning · Part 91
Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Last inspection: AAIP · August 22, 1989 · 7 hours before
Departed: HUM
Destination: NONE
Airport: HUM · Terrebonne

N5796PRegistration cancelled Jul 16, 1990 · Aerospatiale AS 355F1S/N 5163 Airframe modelAerospatiale AS 355F1

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot, aircraft N24516
Age: 38
Certificate: Student
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat: Left
Toxicology: Performed
Flight hours: 30 total · 30 in this make and model · 6 as pilot in command · 30 in the last 90 days · 19 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours

Role: Pilot, aircraft N5796P
Age: 43
Certificate: Airline transport
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings: Helicopter, Airplane
Medical: Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat: Right
Toxicology: Performed
Flight hours: 7,452 total · 45 in this make and model · 7,388 as pilot in command · 41 in the last 90 days · 14 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 50° at 10 knots
Visibility: 7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F
Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Observed at: HUM, 1 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.

Accident 19890903033632ACessna 152 · Houma, LAIn cruise was struck by rotors of N5796P that was climbing to cruise. Pilot tried to avoid helicopter prior impact.Sep 3, 1989 · N24516 · Destroyed · 1 fatal Accident 19890903033631AAerosp AS355F1 · Houma, LAClimbed and collided with N24516 that was at cruise flight and had made a avoidence manuever. Both fell to ground.Sep 3, 1989 · N5796P · Destroyed · 2 fatal