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Two Cessna 172s Collide During Landing at Brainerd Airport (N52502)

Brainerd, MN, US

On November 27, 1998, a Cessna 172P (registration N52502) was involved in an aviation accident near Brainerd, MN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The visual lookout not obtained/maintained by the pilot. Contributing factors were the unicom frequency not selected and the traffic advisory not issued by the pilot. An additional factor was the aircraft moving on the ground. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 172P (N52502) collided with a Cessna 172M (N80357) during touchdown on Runway 23 at Brainerd-Crow Wing County Regional Airport. The collision occurred after the lead aircraft had touched down, while the trailing aircraft overtook and landed on top of it. Inspection revealed the trailing aircraft's radios were set to incorrect frequencies.

Accident Details

A Cessna 172P, registration N52502, piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage when it collided with a Cessna 172M, registration N80357, during touchdown on Runway 23 at Brainerd-Crow Wing County Regional Airport (BRD) in Brainerd, Minnesota.

Sequence of Events

The pilot of N52502 stated that he had made a call on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) of 122.7 MHz and did not hear any other traffic in the area. A witness reported seeing N52502 overtake and land on top of N80357, which had already completed its touchdown on Runway 23.

Communication and Radio Inspection

Following the accident, a mechanic inspected both aircraft. The inspection revealed that both communication radios of N80357 were set to a frequency of 122.7 MHz. In contrast, the communication radios of N52502 were set to 135.8 MHz and 122.9 MHz. The common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) for Brainerd-Crow Wing County Regional Airport was 122.7 MHz.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Nov 1998 Cessna 172P accident near Brainerd, MN?

A Cessna 172P (N52502) collided with a Cessna 172M (N80357) during touchdown on Runway 23 at Brainerd-Crow Wing County Regional Airport. The collision occurred after the lead aircraft had touched down, while the trailing aircraft overtook and landed on top of it. Inspection revealed the trailing aircraft's radios…

Were there any fatalities in the 27 Nov 1998 Cessna 172P accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Nov 1998 involved a Cessna 172P, registration N52502, at Brainerd, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The visual lookout not obtained/maintained by the pilot. Contributing factors were the unicom frequency not selected and the traffic advisory not issued by the pilot. An additional factor was the aircraft moving on the ground.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11395. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.