Saturday, February 02, 2019

Midair Collision: Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N565SP and Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N52243; accident occurred January 29, 2019 near Grand Prairie Municipal Airport (KGPM), Texas










Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Irving, Texas

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Grand Prairie, Texas 
Accident Number: CEN19LA074
Date & Time: January 29, 2019, 13:29 Local
Registration: N565SP
Aircraft: Cessna 172 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Midair collision 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

Analysis

The flight instructors/student pilots of two Cessna airplanes, N565SP and N52243, were each returning from local instructional flights. The N565SP pilot contacted the tower and reported being near the southern tip of a lake, about 10 miles south of the airport; the tower controller instructed the pilot to enter a left downwind for runway 17. About 45 seconds later, the N52243 pilot contacted the tower and reported being 7 miles south of the airport; the tower controller also instructed that pilot to enter a left downwind for runway 17. Radar data indicated that, about this time, the airplanes were within about 0.1 nautical mile laterally and 100 ft vertically of each other. The flightpaths of the airplanes remained in close proximity for about the next 58 seconds (1.6 miles), with the airplanes' altitudes remaining within 100 ft of each other.

About 30 seconds after the N52243 pilot contacted the tower, the N565SP pilot requested verification of the assigned transponder code. During the tower controller's transmission response, an audible conflict alert could be heard in the control tower cab. The controller did not issue a safety alert or advise either airplane's pilots that another airplane was in the same proximity. About 20 seconds later, the controller instructed the N52243 pilot to start a turn toward the northeast corner of the lake. The airplanes then collided, and the N52243 pilot declared an emergency. The N565SP pilot subsequently transmitted that an airplane had "hit us from the back" and that there had been a collision. The pilots of both airplanes maintained control of the airplanes and landed; both airplanes sustained substantial damage during the collision.

Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 91.113 requires that, when weather conditions permit, "vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft." The pilots of both airplanes did not maintain an effective traffic scan as they entered the traffic pattern, nor did they exercise the vigilance necessary to see and avoid the other airplane. In addition, Federal Aviation Administration Joint Order 7110.65 indicates that a controller should give first priority to "separating aircraft and issuing safety alerts." The tower controller did not recognize the proximity of the airplanes to each other, provide a safety alert to the pilots of either airplane, or establish a landing sequence that provided proper airplane spacing to the runway.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The failure of the pilots of both airplanes to see and avoid the other airplane while entering the airport traffic pattern in visual meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the tower controller's failure to recognize the proximity of the airplanes to each other, to issue a safety alert to the pilots of either airplane, and to establish a landing sequence for the airplanes.

Findings
Personnel issues Monitoring other aircraft - Instructor/check pilot
Personnel issues Monitoring other aircraft - Student/instructed pilot
Personnel issues Monitoring other aircraft - Pilot of other aircraft
Personnel issues Task monitoring/vigilance - ATC personnel
Personnel issues Lack of communication - ATC personnel

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute-cruise Midair collision (Defining event)

Flight instructor Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor 
Age: 37, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: January 23, 2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 14, 2018
Flight Time: 655 hours (Total, all aircraft), 635 hours (Total, this make and model), 581 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 100 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 50 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Student pilot Information

Certificate: Student 
Age: 33, Female
Airplane Rating(s): None 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None 
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations 
Last FAA Medical Exam: January 26, 2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 64 hours (Total, all aircraft), 64 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna 
Registration: N565SP
Model/Series: 172 S 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2000
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility 
Serial Number: 172S8489
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: December 11, 2018 100 hour 
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2299 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6774.8 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-L2A
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot school (141)
Operator Does Business As: Skymates Inc. 
Operator Designator Code: K9YS

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: GPM,588 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 13:50 Local 
Direction from Accident Site: 360°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 110° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.31 inches Hg 
Temperature/Dew Point: 5°C / -8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Grand Prairie, TX (GPM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Grand Prairie, TX (GPM)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 12:30 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Grand Prairie Muni GPM 
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 588 ft msl 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 35 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4001 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 32.634723,-96.970275(est)

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Grand Prairie, Texas 
Accident Number: CEN19LA074
Date & Time: January 29, 2019, 13:29 Local
Registration: N52243
Aircraft: Cessna 172 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Midair collision 
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

Analysis

The flight instructors/student pilots of two Cessna airplanes, N565SP and N52243, were each returning from local instructional flights. The N565SP pilot contacted the tower and reported being near the southern tip of a lake, about 10 miles south of the airport; the tower controller instructed the pilot to enter a left downwind for runway 17. About 45 seconds later, the N52243 pilot contacted the tower and reported being 7 miles south of the airport; the tower controller also instructed that pilot to enter a left downwind for runway 17. Radar data indicated that, about this time, the airplanes were within about 0.1 nautical mile laterally and 100 ft vertically of each other. The flightpaths of the airplanes remained in close proximity for about the next 58 seconds (1.6 miles), with the airplanes' altitudes remaining within 100 ft of each other.

About 30 seconds after the N52243 pilot contacted the tower, the N565SP pilot requested verification of the assigned transponder code. During the tower controller's transmission response, an audible conflict alert could be heard in the control tower cab. The controller did not issue a safety alert or advise either airplane's pilots that another airplane was in the same proximity. About 20 seconds later, the controller instructed the N52243 pilot to start a turn toward the northeast corner of the lake. The airplanes then collided, and the N52243 pilot declared an emergency. The N565SP pilot subsequently transmitted that an airplane had "hit us from the back" and that there had been a collision. The pilots of both airplanes maintained control of the airplanes and landed; both airplanes sustained substantial damage during the collision.

Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations 91.113 requires that, when weather conditions permit, "vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft." The pilots of both airplanes did not maintain an effective traffic scan as they entered the traffic pattern, nor did they exercise the vigilance necessary to see and avoid the other airplane. In addition, Federal Aviation Administration Joint Order 7110.65 indicates that a controller should give first priority to "separating aircraft and issuing safety alerts." The tower controller did not recognize the proximity of the airplanes to each other, provide a safety alert to the pilots of either airplane, or establish a landing sequence that provided proper airplane spacing to the runway.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The failure of the pilots of both airplanes to see and avoid the other airplane while entering the airport traffic pattern in visual meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the tower controller's failure to recognize the proximity of the airplanes to each other, to issue a safety alert to the pilots of either airplane, and to establish a landing sequence for the airplanes.

Findings

Personnel issues Monitoring other aircraft - Instructor/check pilot
Personnel issues Monitoring other aircraft - Student/instructed pilot
Personnel issues Monitoring other aircraft - Pilot of other aircraft
Personnel issues Task monitoring/vigilance - ATC personnel
Personnel issues Lack of communication - ATC personnel

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute-cruise Midair collision

Flight instructor Information

Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor 
Age: 27,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: October 30, 2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: October 30, 2018
Flight Time: 600 hours (Total, all aircraft), 330 hours (Total, this make and model), 450 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 60 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 38 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Student pilot Information

Certificate: Student 
Age: 19, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None 
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: January 11, 2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 8 hours (Total, all aircraft), 8 hours (Total, this make and model), 8 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N52243
Model/Series: 172 S 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2002 
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Utility 
Serial Number: 172S9145
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle 
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: December 4, 2018 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2299 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8227 Hrs as of last inspection 
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated 
Engine Model/Series: IO-360-L2A
Registered Owner: 
Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot school (141)
Operator Does Business As: Skymates Inc
Operator Designator Code: K9YS

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: GPM, 588 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 13:50 Local 
Direction from Accident Site: 360°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /
Wind Direction: 110°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /
Altimeter Setting: 30.31 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 5°C / -8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Grand Prairie, TX (GPM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Grand Prairie, TX (GPM) 
Type of Clearance: Traffic advisory
Departure Time: 12:30 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Grand Prairie Muni GPM 
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 588 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 35 
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4001 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 32.634723,-96.970275(est)

1 comment:

  1. Wow. Midair that everyone walked away from. Miracle indeed. Glad everyone is safe.

    ReplyDelete