# NTSB MIA85FA253: Cessna 152, N4894B, Panama City, FL, September 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1985, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Panama City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.170682, -85.669891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1707&lon=-85.6699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31264
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31264/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA253

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - interpretation of instructions - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE PLT OF 757 HM STATED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD HE WAS SECOND TO LAND SO HE PROCESSED TO TURN FINAL UNKNOWNINGLY CUTTING OFF THREEOTHER ACFT ON FINAL APCH TO TWY 05. THE TOWER TOLD HIM 'BREAK LEFT THERE IS TWO ACFT ON FINAL', HE APPLIED POWER TO GO AROUND AND STOPPED HIS SINK RATE JUST AS HE CONTACTED THE TOP OF 4894B. HE THEN WENT AROUND AND ON HIS     NNEXT APCH WAS TOLD HE WAS TOO CLOSE TO HIS TRAFFIC AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO GO AROUND AGAIN AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

THE PLT OF 757HM STATED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD HE WAS SECOND TO LAND SO HE PROCEEDED TO TURN FINAL UNKNOWINGLY CUTTING OFF THREE OTHER ACFT ON FINAL APCH TO RWY 05. THE TOWER TOLD HIM 'BREAK LEFT THERE IS TWO ACFT ON FINAL' HE APPLIED POWER TO GO AROUND AND STOPPED HIS SINK RATE JUST HAS HE CONTACTED THE TOP OF 4894B. HE THEN WENT AROUND AND ON HIS NEXT APCH WAS TOLD HE WAS TOO CLOSE TO HIS TRAFFIC AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO GO AROUND AGAIN AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N4894B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4894B-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 15283695, built 1979 (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: 15283695
- Airframe hours: 3756
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sowell Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1985, 39 hours before
- Airport: PFN, Panama City, runway 5, 4,888 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N757HM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N757HM), registered now, S/N 15279753 (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: 15279753
- Airframe hours: 4914
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sowell Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1985, 84 hours before
- Airport: PFN, Panama City, runway 5, 4,888 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N4894B; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total, 160 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N757HM; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PFN

## 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 19850913076352A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850913076352A), Sep 13, 1985: Cessna 152, Panama City, FL, Substantial damage. Right wing was struck by the nose and right gear tires of N757HM, while on final. Landed safely.
- [Accident 19850913076351A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850913076351A), Sep 13, 1985: Cessna 152, Panama City, FL. Struck right wing of N4894B while following that aircraft on final. Did go around too late to avoid collision.

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.

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