# NTSB NYC91LA015: Cessna 152, N5331P, Kent, OH, October 20, 1990 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 20, 1990, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Kent, OH - Coordinates: 41.169124, -81.430145 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1691&lon=-81.4301&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 36828 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36828/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA015 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN VISUAL SEPARATION IN THE LANDING TRAFFIC PATTERN. FACTORS TO THIS MID-AIR COLLISION WERE THE EXCESSIVE NUMBER OF AIRPLANES IN THE AIRPORT TRAFFIC PATTERN AND RADIO FREQUENCY CONGESTION. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN VISUAL SEPARATION IN THE LANDING TRAFFIC PATTERN. FACTORS TO THIS MID-AIR COLLISION WERE THE EXCESSIVE NUMBER OF AIRPLANES IN THE AIRPORT TRAFFIC PATTERN AND RADIO FREQUENCY CONGESTION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - visual separation - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual separation - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - visual separation - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual separation - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE TWO CESSNA 152'S COLLIDED WHILE OPERATING IN A CONGESTED AIRPORT TRAFFIC PATTERN. THERE WERE 7 AIRPLANES IN THIS PATTERN AT THE SAME TIME. THE AIRPORT HAS NO CONTROL TOWER. THE KENT STATE UNIVERSITY FLIGHT TRAINING COORDINATOR SAID, 'THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF TRANSIENT TRAFFIC THIS DAY...THE RADIO FREQUENCY WAS SATURATED WITH RADIO CALLS.' THE PILOTS LOST VISUAL CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER, BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY AIRPLANES AND SOME OF THESE WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE NORMAL TRAFFIC PATTERN, AFTER THE MID AIR COLLISION, BOTH AIRPLANES WERE ABLE TO LAND SAFELY. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE TWO CESSNA 152'S COLLIDED WHILE OPERATING IN A CONGESTED AIRPORT TRAFFIC PATTERN. THERE WERE 7 AIRPLANES IN THIS PATTERN AT THE SAME TIME. THE AIRPORT HAS NO CONTROL TOWER. THE KENT STATE UNIVERSITY FLIGHT TRAINING COORDINATOR SAID, 'THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF TRANSIENT TRAFFIC THIS DAY...THE RADIO FREQUENCY WAS SATURATED WITH RADIO CALLS.' THE PILOTS LOST VISUAL CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER, BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY AIRPLANES AND SOME OF THESE WERE OT FAIMLIAR WITH THE NORMAL TRAFFIC PATTERN. AFTER THE MID AIR COLLISION, BOTH AIRPLANES WERE ABLE TO LAND SAFELY. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N5331P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5331P-2017-02-22), registration cancelled 2017-02-22, S/N 15284917, built 1981 (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: 15285901 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Kent State University - Departed: 1G3, STOW, OH - Airport: 1G3, Kent State, runway 19, 3,965 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N95474](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N95474), registered now, S/N 15285901, built 1984 (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: 15284914 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Kent State University - Departed: 29G, RAVENNA, OH - Airport: 1G3, Kent State, runway 19, 3,965 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N5331P; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 213 total, 90 in this make and model - Pilot, aircraft N95474; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 67 total, 25 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 8 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F ## 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 19901020046541A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901020046541A), Oct 20, 1990: Cessna 152, Kent, OH, Substantial damage. Heavy traffic elected go around came up under and collided with N95474. Both went around and landed. Patterns differ - [Accident 19901020046542A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901020046542A), Oct 20, 1990: Cessna 152, Kent, OH, Minor damage. Heavy traffic on final. Was struck by N5331P that was lower and began go around due traffic. Patterns differed. ## Other investigations on N5331P (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 CHI86LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA001), Oct 1, 1985: Cessna 152 (N5331P), Ravenna, 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.