Cessna 152 N47417 and Cessna 182R N9772H accident near Fairbanks, Alaska

Probable cause

The failure of the instructor in the Cessna 152 to maintain separation from another landing airplane and his failure to follow the tower controller’s instructions.

The failure of the instructor pilot in the other airplane to maintain separation from the Cessna 182R, and his failure to follow the tower controller’s instructions.

NTSB analysis

A Cessna 152, with a certificated flight instructor (CFI) in the right seat and a student pilot in the left seat, was on the right downwind leg in preparation for landing in day visual meteorological conditions on an instructional flight. The Cessna 152 was behind a Cessna 182R that was on final approach. The Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) specialist asked the Cessna 152 pilots if they had the landing traffic in sight and the CFI said that they did. Review of radar data and radio communications from the ATCT revealed that the Cessna 152 joined the final approach course slightly behind and above the Cessna 182R. As the two airplanes continued toward the runway, the ATCT specialist issued instructions to the Cessna 152 to make a right 360-degree turn. According to the CFI, at about the same time the nose of the Cessna 182R appeared under his Cessna 152 and he applied full power and began a left climbing turn while advising ATCT of his actions. The left wingtip of the Cessna 152 collided with the top right side of the Cessna 182R’s rudder. The pilot of the Cessna 182R reportedly never saw the other airplane. Both airplanes landed without further incident.

A Cessna 152 airplane, with a certificated flight instructor (CFI) in the right seat, and a student pilot in the left seat, was on a right downwind for landing in day visual meteorological conditions at the conclusion of a Title 14, CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The Cessna 152 was number two to land behind a Cessna 182R that was on final approach. The Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) specialist asked the Cessna 152 pilots if they had the landing traffic in sight, and the CFI said they did. Review of radar plot data, and radio communications from the ATCT, revealed that the Cessna 152 joined the final approach course slightly behind and above the Cessna 182R. As the two airplanes continued toward the runway, the ATCT specialist issued instructions to the Cessna 152 to make a right 360 degree turn. According to the CFI, about the same time, the nose of the Cessna 182R appeared under his Cessna 152, and he applied full power and began a left climbing turn while advising ATCT of his actions. The left wingtip of the Cessna 152 collided with the top right side of the Cessna 182R’s rudder. The pilot of the Cessna 182R reportedly never saw the other airplane. Both airplanes landed without further incident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC09LA011 for the full record.