# NTSB NYC05LA002: Cessna 152, N68298, Harrison, OH, October 10, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 10, 2004, 16:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Harrison, OH - Coordinates: 39.258888, -84.774169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2589&lon=-84.7742&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60303 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60303/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA002 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The Cessna 152 pilot's improper traffic pattern procedure and improper radio communication, which resulted in a mid-air collision with a Cessna 172. A factor in the accident was both pilots' failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The Cessna 152 pilot's improper traffic pattern procedure and improper radio communication, which resulted in a mid-air collision with a Cessna 172. A factor in the accident was both pilots' failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - radio communications - improper, pilot in command (cause) - traffic pattern procedure - improper (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - traffic pattern procedure - improper - radio communications - improper, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilots of the Cessna 172 and Cessna 152 were participating in a "spot landing" contest at the airport. The pilot of the C-172 departed, and he said he observed the C-152 takeoff. The C-172 pilot continued in the left traffic pattern, believing the C-152 was well behind him. The C-172 pilot turned onto final at an altitude of 500 feet, about 1 mile from the runway. The pilot of the C-152 turned onto the base leg, abeam the runway numbers, "very close" to the runway, and then turned final at 200-300 feet AGL. Both aircraft continued in descending, stabilized approaches, and about 1/4 mile from the runway, the aircraft collided and began a slow descending spiral, locked together, until they impacted a gravel pit. The pilot of the C-152 reported his position on the UNICOM frequency, only on the downwind leg. Additionally, he did not check final approach for other aircraft prior to turning final, nor did he hear any other radio calls on the frequency. The pilot of the C-172 reported that he announced his position on the downwind, base, and final legs of the approach. He additionally stated that he only heard the pilot of the C-152 announce his position once, on the downwind leg. According to FAR 91.113(g), "Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight." ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilots of the Cessna 172 and Cessna 152 were participating in a "spot landing" contest at the airport. The pilot of the C-172 departed, and he said he observed the C-152 takeoff. The C-172 pilot continued in the left traffic pattern, believing the C-152 was well behind him. The C-172 pilot turned onto final at an altitude of 500 feet, about 1 mile from the runway. The pilot of the C-152 turned onto the base leg, abeam the runway numbers, "very close" to the runway, and then turned final at 200-300 feet AGL. Both aircraft continued in descending, stabilized approaches, and about 1/4 mile from the runway, the aircraft collided and began a slow descending spiral, locked together, until they impacted a gravel pit. The pilot of the C-152 reported his position on the UNICOM frequency, only on the downwind leg. Additionally, he did not check final approach for other aircraft prior to turning final, nor did he hear any other radio calls on the frequency. The pilot of the C-172 reported that he announced his position on the downwind, base, and final legs of the approach. He additionally stated that he only heard the pilot of the C-152 announce his position once, on the downwind leg. According to FAR 91.113(g), "Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight." ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On October 10, 2004, at 1640 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N68298, and a Cessna 172, N12625, were substantially damaged when they collided in-flight, on final approach to runway 01 at the Cincinnati West Airport (I67), Harrison, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot in the Cessna 152 sustained serious injuries, the certificated commercial pilot in the Cessna 172 received minor injuries, and the private pilot-rated passenger in the Cessna 172 received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for either flight. The local personal flights were conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to both pilots, the purpose of the flights were to participate in a "spot landing" contest at the airport, which required the aircraft to land "on the numbers" of runway 01. The pilot of the Cessna 172 stated that after takeoff, he observed the Cessna 152 depart runway 01. The pilot continued in the left traffic pattern, believing that the Cessna 152 was well behind him. He turned onto final approach at 400 feet, extended 30 degrees of flaps and reduced the airspeed to 75 mph. While descending toward the runway, the pilot heard and felt a "thud." The airplane became unresponsive to control inputs, and continued in a descent. After impacting the ground, the airplane caught fire, and both occupants exited the cockpit. The pilot then realized he had experienced a collision with another airplane, and assisted the pilot of the Cessna 152 in exiting his airplane. The pilot of the C-172 reported that he announced his position on the downwind, base, and final legs of the approach. He additionally stated that he only heard the pilot of the Cessna 152 announce his position once, on the downwind leg. The pilot of the Cessna 152 stated that he was too high and too fast during his first attempt at landing, and touched down well beyond the numbers. He performed a touch and go, and entered the left traffic pattern for his second attempt. The pilot announced his position on the UNICOM frequency, while on the downwind leg, and did not hear any other transmissions in the pattern. When he was abeam the numbers, he slowed the airplane to about 60-65 knots, turned onto the base leg "very close" to the runway, and turned final at 200-300 feet AGL. As the pilot turned final, he observed the top of the left wing and cockpit of the Cessna 172, and immediately felt the impact with the airplane. The pilot had no memory of the remainder of the flight. The pilot of the C-152 reported that he did not check final approach for other aircraft prior to turning final, nor did he hear any other radio calls on the frequency. According to a witness, who observed the aircraft from his hangar at the airport, the Cessna 172 was on an approximate 1 mile final at 500 feet AGL, and a Cessna 152 was on a left base approximately 1 mile out, at 500-700 feet AGL. The Cessna 172 continued on a straight-in stabilized approach, while the Cessna 152 continued a left base, descending, stabilized approach. The flight paths converged approximately 1/4 mile from the end of runway 01, at 300 feet AGL. The right wing of the Cessna 152 appeared to contact the left wing of the Cessna 172, and both aircraft began a slow descending spiral, locked together, until they impacted a gravel pit, heading south. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the Cessna 172 sustained substantial damage to its right wing and fire damage to the fuselage section. The Cessna 152 sustained substantial damage to its left wing. The weather reported at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, about 13 miles to the south, at 1654, included 10 miles visibility, few clouds at 15,000 feet, and winds from 080 degrees at 9 knots. Review of Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.113(b) revealed: "General. When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft..." Review of FAR 91.113(g) revealed: "Landing. Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight...When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft." According to the Airman Information Manual (AIM), paragraph 4-1-9(h), UNICOM Communications Procedures, "In communicating with a UNICOM station, the following practices will help reduce frequency congestion, facilitate a better understanding of pilot intentions, help identify the location of aircraft in the traffic pattern, and enhance the safety of flight:...(e) Report on downwind, base, and final approach." ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 10, 2004, at 1640 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 152, N68298, and a Cessna 172, N12625, were substantially damaged when they collided in-flight, on final approach to runway 01 at the Cincinnati West Airport (I67), Harrison, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot in the Cessna 152 sustained serious injuries, the certificated commercial pilot in the Cessna 172 received minor injuries, and the private pilot-rated passenger in the Cessna 172 received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for either flight. The local personal flights were conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to both pilots, the purpose of the flights were to participate in a "spot landing" contest at the airport, which required the aircraft to land "on the numbers" of runway 01. The pilot of the Cessna 172 stated that after takeoff, he observed the Cessna 152 depart runway 01. The pilot continued in the left traffic pattern, believing that the Cessna 152 was well behind him. He turned onto final approach at 400 feet, extended 30 degrees of flaps and reduced the airspeed to 75 mph. While descending toward the runway, the pilot heard and felt a "thud." The airplane became unresponsive to control inputs, and continued in a descent. After impacting the ground, the airplane caught fire, and both occupants exited the cockpit. The pilot then realized he had experienced a collision with another airplane, and assisted the pilot of the Cessna 152 in exiting his airplane. The pilot of the Cessna 172 reported that he announced his position on the downwind, base, and final legs of the approach. He additionally stated that he only heard the pilot of the Cessna 152 announce his position once, on the downwind leg. The pilot of the Cessna 152 stated that he was too high and too fast during his first attempt at landing, and touched down well beyond the numbers. He performed a touch and go, and entered the left traffic pattern for his second attempt. The pilot announced his position on the UNICOM frequency, while on the downwind leg, and did not hear any other transmissions in the pattern. When he was abeam the numbers, he slowed the airplane to about 60-65 knots, turned onto the base leg "very close" to the runway, and turned final at 200-300 feet AGL. As the pilot turned final, he observed the top of the left wing and cockpit of the Cessna 172, and immediately felt the impact with the airplane. The pilot had no memory of the remainder of the flight. The pilot of the Cessna 152 reported that he did not check final approach for other aircraft prior to turning final, nor did he hear any other radio calls on the frequency. According to a witness, who observed the aircraft from his hangar at the airport, the Cessna 172 was on an approximate 1 mile final at 500 feet AGL, and a Cessna 152 was on a left base approximately 1 mile out, at 500-700 feet AGL. The Cessna 172 continued on a straight-in stabilized approach, while the Cessna 152 continued a left base, descending, stabilized approach. The flight paths converged approximately 1/4 mile from the end of runway 01, at 300 feet AGL. The right wing of the Cessna 152 appeared to contact the left wing of the Cessna 172, and both aircraft began a slow descending spiral, locked together, until they impacted a gravel pit, heading south. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the Cessna 172 sustained substantial damage to its right wing and fire damage to the fuselage section. The Cessna 152 sustained substantial damage to its left wing. The weather reported at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, about 13 miles to the south, at 1654, included 10 miles visibility, few clouds at 15,000 feet, and winds from 080 degrees at 9 knots. Review of Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 91.113(b) revealed: "General. When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft..." Review of FAR 91.113(g) revealed: "Landing. Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight...When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of another which is on final approach to land or to overtake that aircraft." According to the Airman Information Manual (AIM), paragraph 4-1-9(h), UNICOM Communications Procedures, "In communicating with a UNICOM station, the following practices will help reduce frequency congestion, facilitate a better understanding of pilot intentions, help identify the location of aircraft in the traffic pattern, and enhance the safety of flight:...(e) Report on downwind, base, and final approach." ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N68298](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68298-2007-05-30), registration cancelled 2007-05-30, S/N 15282237, built 1978 (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: 15282237 - Airframe hours: 2765 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harrison Social Flites Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2004 - Departed: I67, Harrison, OH - Destination: I67, Harrison, OH - Airport: I67, Cincinnati West Airport ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N12625](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12625), registered now, S/N 17262123, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17262123 - Airframe hours: 5526 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harrison Social Flites Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2004, 13 hours before - Departed: I67, Harrison, OH - Destination: I67, Harrison, OH - Airport: I67, Cincinnati West Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N68298; age 77; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days - Pilot, aircraft N12625; age 63; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 770 total, 600 in this make and model, 648 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: CVG, 14 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 20041010034551A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041010034551A), Oct 10, 2004: Cessna 152, Harrison, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) On approach to landing, while rolling level on final, the CE-152 impacted on top of the CE-172 which was already on final, and became entangled. The two… - [Accident 20041010034552A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041010034552A), Oct 10, 2004: Cessna 172M, Harrison, OH, Destroyed. (-23) On approach to landing, while rolling level on final, the CE-152 impacted on top of the CE-172 which was already on final, and became entangled. The two… ## Other investigations on N68298 (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI82DA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA070), Feb 23, 1982: Cessna 152II (N68298), Oxford, OH, substantial damage 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.