N20841

On April 25, 1995, about 1720 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N5527M, collided, in-flight, with a Cessna 182P, N20841, at Fort Payne, Alabama. Both aircraft were operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. There were no injuries to the student pilot in the 152, nor to the private pilot in the 182. The 152 was substantially damaged, and the 182 received minor damage. Both flights originated from Isbell Field, Fort Payne, Alabama, at 1600 and 1630, respectively, on the same day.

The two aircraft collided about three miles northeast of the airport, about 2600 feet, mean sea level. The collision occurred on the extended centerline of runway 4. The non-directional beacon that serves the airport is located 3.5 Nmi on a 041 degree bearing from the runway.

The student pilot of the Cessna 152 stated that he requested traffic advisories from the airport Unicom, via the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF), when he was about five to seven miles northwest of the airport at 2500 feet. He stated that he then maneuvered south of the airport to position the airplane for a long straight-in to runway 22. He understood from the CTAF that there was traffic, however, he reported difficulty understanding the radio transmissions, and did not understand the location of the traffic. Just prior to the collision, he was in a "descend [sic] status." "For a split second" he saw another airplane coming toward him, slightly above his altitude. He attempted to evade the airplane by diving.

The Cessna 182 pilot stated that he was conducting a visual approach to runway 22, using the NDB-A approach procedures as a guide. He reported that he had passed the radio beacon inbound to the airport, about 20 seconds prior to the collision, and had begun a 500 fpm descent. He stated that he was looking out of the airplane when he saw the 152 head-on, about 50 feet below and slightly left of his course. He took no evasive action, stating there was insufficient time before the collision. He stated that he was not wearing a vision restriction device during the solo flight. He reported that he announced on the CTAF that he was at the radio beacon, inbound to the airport.

The flight instructor for both pilots was airborne, at the time, and stated that he did not hear position reports from the student pilot in the Cessna 152.