Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 800; Flight Crew Type 760
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Procedure; Human Factors
I was training a private pilot student in the C172. I was approaching the airport with a clearance to descend into the left downwind for Runway 1. I was about 5 miles out approaching about 100 KTS indicated airspeed and descending from 4;000 FT AGL. As we were descending I overheard Tower giving a caution to a departing aircraft that we were descending into the downwind. The Controller seemed like he had everything under control and convinced the pilot of the C152 that he would be making sure there was adequate separation. The C152 was cleared to make a left turn to depart from the traffic pattern and was also given a traffic advisory (12 - 1 o'clock) descending out of 3;200 FT. We were about 4 miles out now and when I heard that over the radio I decided to stop the descent of the aircraft for two reasons. I knew that we were 3;000 FT AGL and a C152 couldn't possibly climb up to that altitude within 3 miles from the field; and I did not want to descend into an area where there was traffic without having a visual on that aircraft. We never saw the aircraft; it was painted black; and so I continued to focus on my scan. The C152 finally reported that he had us in sight; and jokingly the Tower Controller said; 'Try not to hit him.' I didn't respond with any remarks over the radio because I was focused on finding this aircraft. My student looked to the left and from his reaction I knew he found the airplane. In fact this aircraft continued to climb right into us. I saw the aircraft and determined there wouldn't be a collision so I did not make evasive actions to avoid the aircraft. I simply took the flight controls and pulled the nose up a few degrees to establish a slow climb. The aircraft passed right under us from left to right; directly below us; and about 150 FT between each aircraft. I believe in this situation it was both the Controller's fault; and the C152 pilot. I also could have been better in my decision making by not allowing the aircraft to pass us so close; and I believe if I was more active with the radios I could have reminded the Tower a few times that we did not have the traffic in sight while he was clearing him to make the turn into us. The C152 was very minimal when it came to radio communication and I understand that it may have been a Private Pilot student and that is fully understandable.
C172 Flight Instructor with student on downwind entry at 3;000 FT reports a NMAC with a C152 departing on a left crosswind. Both aircraft were in contact with the Radar equipped Tower.