Cessna 152 and Cessna 172 mid-air collision near Harrison, Ohio, October 10, 2004
On October 10, 2004 at about 8:40 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 152 (N68298) and Cessna 172 (N12625), were involved in a mid-air collision near Harrison, Ohio (Cincinnati West 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 Cessna 152 pilot's improper traffic pattern procedure and improper radio communication, which resulted in a mid-air collision with a Cessna 172. A factor in the accident was both pilots' failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout.
The Cessna 152 pilot's improper traffic pattern procedure and improper radio communication, which resulted in a mid-air collision with a Cessna 172. A factor in the accident was both pilots' failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 10, 2004 · about 8:40 pm local time
- Place
- Harrison, Ohio · Cincinnati West Airport · 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 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N68298 · no longer on the register · serial 15282237
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N12625 · registry record · serial 17262123
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 152 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots of the Cessna 172 and Cessna 152 were participating in a "spot landing" contest at the airport. The pilot of the C-172 departed, and he said he observed the C-152 takeoff. The C-172 pilot continued in the left traffic pattern, believing the C-152 was well behind him. The C-172 pilot turned onto final at an altitude of 500 feet, about 1 mile from the runway. The pilot of the C-152 turned onto the base leg, abeam the runway numbers, "very close" to the runway, and then turned final at 200-300 feet AGL. Both aircraft continued in descending, stabilized approaches, and about 1/4 mile from the runway, the aircraft collided and began a slow descending spiral, locked together, until they impacted a gravel pit. The pilot of the C-152 reported his position on the UNICOM frequency, only on the downwind leg. Additionally, he did not check final approach for other aircraft prior to turning final, nor did he hear any other radio calls on the frequency. The pilot of the C-172 reported that he announced his position on the downwind, base, and final legs of the approach. He additionally stated that he only heard the pilot of the C-152 announce his position once, on the downwind leg. According to FAR 91.113(g), "Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight."
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 172 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots of the Cessna 172 and Cessna 152 were participating in a "spot landing" contest at the airport. The pilot of the C-172 departed, and he said he observed the C-152 takeoff. The C-172 pilot continued in the left traffic pattern, believing the C-152 was well behind him. The C-172 pilot turned onto final at an altitude of 500 feet, about 1 mile from the runway. The pilot of the C-152 turned onto the base leg, abeam the runway numbers, "very close" to the runway, and then turned final at 200-300 feet AGL. Both aircraft continued in descending, stabilized approaches, and about 1/4 mile from the runway, the aircraft collided and began a slow descending spiral, locked together, until they impacted a gravel pit. The pilot of the C-152 reported his position on the UNICOM frequency, only on the downwind leg. Additionally, he did not check final approach for other aircraft prior to turning final, nor did he hear any other radio calls on the frequency. The pilot of the C-172 reported that he announced his position on the downwind, base, and final legs of the approach. He additionally stated that he only heard the pilot of the C-152 announce his position once, on the downwind leg. According to FAR 91.113(g), "Aircraft, while on final approach to land or while landing, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight."
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 152 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: 3,000 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: July 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,765 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2004
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: I67 Harrison OH at 8:35 pm
- Destination: I67 Harrison OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 8:54 pm from CVG, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 172 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 770 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 648 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,526 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2004; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: I67 Harrison OH at 8:35 pm
- Destination: I67 Harrison OH
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Other NTSB records under N68298 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
1982-02-23CHI82DA070 · accident near Oxford, OH · substantial damage · no injuries
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.