# NTSB MIA92LA086: Cessna 172N, N738YY, Orlando, FL, February 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1992, 08:02 local (13:02 UTC)
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Coordinates: 28.569259, -81.319511 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5693&lon=-81.3195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA086

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

THE PILOTS IN COMMAND OF BOTH AIRCRAFT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VIGILANCE AND SEE AND AVOID EACH OTHER RESULTING IN A MIDAIR COLLISION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOCAL CONTROLLERS FAILURE TO ISSUE TRAFFIC ADVISORIES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, cruise
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - flight advisories - not issued, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause)
- Midair collision, climb - to cruise
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - flight advisories - not issued, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

PLT OF N738YY REPT TO LOCAL CONTROLLER HE WAS NORTHBOUND ON NORTH LOOP IN ACCORDANCE WITH LETTER OF AGREEMENT FOR SKYWATCH FLTS. THIS WAS ONLY COMM WITH FLT PRIOR TO COLLISION. ANOTHER SKYWATCH FLT WAS SOUTHBOUND. TWO MIN LATER N6988V REPT READY FOR TAKEOFF RWY 7. PLT OF N6988V HAD NOT HEARD NORTHBOUND SKYWATCH REPT IN. N6988V WAS CLR TAKEOFF FOR NORTHWEST DEPT. AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE NW BOUND CONTROLLER CALLED TRAFFIC TO N6988V AS SKYWATCH FLT TO RT HEADING SOUTHBOUND. CONTROLLER DID NOT ADVISE OF NORTHBOUND SKYWATCH. THE PLT OF N6988V REPT SOUTHBOUND SKYWATCH IN SIGHT. ONE MINUTE LATER N6988V AND N738YY (THE NORTHBOUND SKYWATCH) COLLIDED. BOTH FLTS RETURNED TO ARPT AND LANDED UNEVENTFUL. N738YY RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, N6988V RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N738YY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738YY-2012-01-17), registration cancelled 2012-01-17, S/N 17270353, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270353
- Airframe hours: 5256
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Express, Inc.
- Registered owner: Flight Express, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 29, 1992, 33 hours before

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N6988V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6988V), registered now, S/N 22-1350, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1350
- Airframe hours: 1994
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-AIA 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul R. Palmeri
- Registered owner: Paul R. Palmeri
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1991, 37 hours before
- Destination: CEDAR KEY, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N738YY; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,011 total, 500 in this make and model, 938 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N6988V; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,600 total, 110 in this make and model, 3,100 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 5 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 19920221003451A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920221003451A), Feb 21, 1992: Cessna 172N, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage. On flight watch saw N6988V on right side. Tried avoid but left wing hit its underside. ATC reported target not seen
- [Accident 19920221003452A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920221003452A), Feb 21, 1992: Mooney M20F, Orlando, FL, Minor damage. On climb to cruise saw N738YY on left. Tried to avoid but underside collided with his left wing. Not observed by ATC

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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