Cessna 172N and Cessna 152 mid-air collision near Winter Haven, Florida, April 29, 1999
On April 29, 1999 at about 9:55 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 172N (N739FX) and Cessna 152 (N48870), were involved in a mid-air collision near Winter Haven, Florida (Gilbert airport). 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The CFI's failure to maintain visual lookout. A factor was his disregard for VFR Traffic pattern procedures.
The pilot of the other aircraft's failure to maintain visual lookout. A factor was the other pilot's disregard for VFR Traffic pattern procedures.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 29, 1999 · about 9:55 pm local time
- Place
- Winter Haven, Florida · Gilbert · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N739FX · no longer on the register · serial 172-70518
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N48870 · no longer on the register · serial 152-81015
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 172N final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 152 had been practicing full-stop landings and had remained in the pattern. A 172 had departed Kissimmee, Florida, for a touch and go landing at Gilbert Airport. The witnesses stated that they heard the pilot of the 152, over the Unicom frequency, announcing his left downwind, base and final approach positions. Witnesses said the 172 was observed making a right downwind approach and an abbreviated base to final to runway 29 above the 152. A witness who was in his aircraft at the hold short line attempted to warn the 172 over the Unicom frequency of 122.7 several times; however, there was no reply. The 172 impacted the top of the 152 about 30 feet above the ground, forcing the 152 into the ground. The 172 pitched up, rolled right and nosed into the ground coming to rest on its back. The 152 landed hard on its main gear, and slid to a stop. Title 14 CFR Part 91.113(g)Landing, states in part; 'Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface'.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 152 final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to witnesses, the 152 had been practicing full-stop landings and had remained in the pattern. The 172 had departed Kissimmee, Florida, for a touch and go landing at Gilbert airport. The witnesses stated that they heard the pilot of the 152, over the Unicom frequency, announcing his left downwind, base and final approach positions. Witnesses said the 172 was observed making a right downwind approach and an abbreviated base to final to runway 29 above the 152. A witness who was in his aircraft at the hold short line attempted to warn the 172 over the Unicom frequency of 122.7 several times; however, there was no reply. The 172 impacted the top of the 152 about 30 feet above the ground, forcing the 152 into the ground. The 172 pitched up, rolled right and nosed into the ground coming to rest on its back. The 152 landed hard on its main gear, and slid to a stop.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record for the Cessna 172N from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 440 hours in all; 82 in this make and model; 110 in the last 90 days; 70 in the last 30 days; 345 as pilot in command; 110 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,131 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 23, 1999; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320H2AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ISM Kissimmee FL at 9:40 pm
- Destination: GIF
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:45 pm from PIE, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
The factual record for the Cessna 152 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 17 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 2 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,826 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 18, 1999; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming C152 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GIF at 9:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.