On May 30, 1999, a Cessna 172P (registration N66018) operated by Southwest Flight Center was involved in an aviation accident near Mesa, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the tower (local) air traffic controller to issue a landing sequence to the climbing, high wing Cessna 172 aircraft, and the controller's failure to maintain visual separation between the two aircraft on downwind leg. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A midair collision occurred between two aircraft on downwind leg of a touch-and-go pattern at a tower-controlled airport. Both aircraft landed safely. The controller had not issued a landing sequence to one aircraft due to confusion.
Incident Description
During daylight hours with high scattered clouds and visibility of 40 statute miles, a midair collision took place while both aircraft were on the downwind leg of the touch-and-go landing pattern at a tower-controlled airport. The high-wing aircraft, which had completed three touch-and-go patterns, climbed up under the low-wing aircraft prior to the collision. Despite the collision, both aircraft landed safely.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed that the pilot of the high-wing aircraft had not been issued a landing sequence or a traffic advisory by the air traffic controller. The pilot believed he was following another high-wing aircraft that was well ahead on the downwind leg. The local air traffic controller acknowledged that he had become confused with the sequence of landing aircraft and had not issued a landing sequence or traffic advisory to this aircraft. At the time of the incident, there were six aircraft in the landing pattern and five more awaiting departure.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the investigation source.