5 fatal · CESSNA 172M · 2015-08-16 · San Diego, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
WPR15MA243
Event ID
20150816X60452
Type
Accident
Date
2015-08-16
Location
San Diego, CA, USA
Coordinates
32.577499, -116.94889
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
5
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
5
Aircraft
Make
CESSNA
Model
172M
Registration
N1285U
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The local controller's (LC) failure to properly identify the aircraft in the pattern and to ensure control instructions provided to the intended Cessna on downwind were being performed before turning Eagle1 into its path for landing. Contributing to the LC's actions was his incomplete situational awareness when he took over communications from the LC trainee due to the high workload at the time of the accident. Contributing to the accident were the inherent limitations of the see-and-avoid concept, resulting in the inability of the pilots involved to take evasive action in time to avert the collision.