Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL00LA025

CLEARWATER, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N757XF

Cessna 152

Aircraft #2

N5339C

Cessna C-140A

Analysis

According to eyewitnesses, the Cessna 152 had landed on runway 16, and was about 1500 feet down the runway when the Cessna 140A landed on top of the Cessna 152, striking the vertical stabilizer and collapsing the right main gear. The Cessna 140A came to rest on its nose. There were wrinkles in the empennage and firewall of the Cessna 140A.

Factual Information

On February 12, 2000, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Cessna 152, N757XF, and a Cessna 140A, N5339C, collided while both airplanes were attempting to land on runway 16, at the Clearwater Air Park, in Clearwater, Florida. The Cessna 152 was operated by a Certified Flight Instructor, (CFI) and a student pilot, and The Cessna 140A, was operated by a private pilot. Both airplanes were operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and neither aircraft had filed a flight plan. Neither the CFI or the student pilot on board the Cessna 152 was injured, The pilot of the Cessna 140A was not injured. However, both airplanes sustained substantial damage. The Cessna 152 training flight departed Clearwater Air Park in Clearwater, Florida, at 1236. The Cessna 140A originated from Manatee Airport, Palmetto, Florida at 1330. The CFI on board the Cessna 152 stated that he departed Clearwater Air Park at 1236 with a student pilot, and flew to the practice area west of Clearwater Air Park. At approximately 1340, they returned to Clearwater Air Park for closed traffic. The CFI stated that they entered the traffic pattern from the north, and made all radio calls on 123.0. After the first landing, they remained in the traffic pattern for runway 16. The CFI said they made a second landing on runway 16. After the landing the CFI recalled hearing the sound of metal bending. The CFI quickly applied full brakes, stopped the airplane, shut down the engine, and exited the airplane. The pilot of the Cessna 140A said he departed Manatee Airport, Palmetto, Florida to Clearwater Air Park at 1330. He stated that he entered a mid-field downwind for runway 16, and made the necessary radio calls for the traffic pattern. He stated that he followed normal procedures for landing, and made all required radio calls for traffic advisory. According to the pilot of the Cessna 140A, he never saw the Cessna 152. The pilot of the Cessna 140A also said that when he flared over the runway his aircraft collided with the Cessna 152. According to eyewitnesses, the Cessna 152 had landed on runway 16, and was about 1500 feet down the runway when the Cessna 140A landed on top of the Cessna 152, striking the vertical stabilizer and collapsing the right main gear. The Cessna 140A came to rest on its nose. There were wrinkles in the empennage and firewall of the Cessna 140A. According to the FAA inspector, the Cessna 140A COM1 was tuned to 121.9 frequency. The airport radio frequency is 123.0.

Probable Cause and Findings

The of other aircraft pilot's failure to maintain proper visual look out during flight operations under Visual Flight Rules.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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