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NTSB Report
October 20, 1990 · Cessna 152 · N5331P
Kent, OH
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 20, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kent, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N5331P
Operator
Kent State University
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC91LA015
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.
NTSB Probable Cause
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.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:15 EDT
Nearest AirportKent State (0nm N)
Runway19
Runway Length3965 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN5331P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKent State University
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-N2C · Reciprocating · 108 | Lycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 108
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 19 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 8 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO