Notes Neither Plane Attempted To Avoid Collision

Editor's Note -- This week, the National Transportation Safety Board released its Preliminary Report on the January 20 midair collision between two Cessna high-wing aircraft over Corona, CA. The unedited text of the report follows below.

Notably, the NTSB states the collision occurred as one of the aircraft, a C-172, apparently entered the left-hand traffic pattern for Corona Municipal Airport. That plane collided with a C-150, reportedly established on the downwind for runway 25.

The aircraft collided about 1.4 miles SSW of the airport. Eyewitnesses said neither aircraft maneuvered in the seconds leading up to the collision, and neither aircraft made any attempt to avoid the other.

NTSB Identification: LAX08FA049A
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, January 20, 2008 in Corona, CA
Aircraft: Cessna 172N, registration: N737EJ
Injuries: 5 Fatal.

NTSB Identification: LAX08FA049B
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, January 20, 2008 in Corona, CA
Aircraft: Cessna 150M, registration: N4008V
Injuries: 5 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On January 20, 2008, about 1534 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N737EJ, and a Cessna 150M, N4008V, collided in flight while approaching runway 25 at the Corona Municipal (uncontrolled) Airport, Corona, California. The midair collision occurred at a location and flight direction consistent with the Cessna 172N entering the left-hand traffic pattern, and the Cessna 150M being in the pattern's downwind leg, about 1.4 miles south-southwest of the airport. The commercial certificated pilot flying the Cessna 172N and his passenger were killed. The two private pilots in the Cessna 150M and a person on the ground were also killed. Both airplanes were fragmented during the midair collision and were subsequently destroyed upon falling nose down into buildings, automobiles, and parking lots. The Cessna 172N was operated by Funoutside, based in Fullerton, California. The Cessna 150M was operated by Corona Flight Academy, based in Corona. The flights were performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plans were filed. The purpose of the Cessna 172N's flight has not been determined, and the purpose of the Cessna 150M's flight was personal. The locations and times that the airplanes departed for the accident flight have not been determined.

Dozens of eyewitnesses, located within 1 mile around the accident site, reported observing and/or hearing the midair collision. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator interviewed one witness who was located on a hillside about 0.5 mile southwest of the accident site. This witness reported continuously observing both airplanes cruising toward each other for at least 5 seconds preceding the collision. The witness stated that one airplane was flying in a northerly direction toward the Corona Airport, while the other airplane was flying in an easterly direction, just south of the airport. No maneuvering was observed during the seconds immediately prior to the impact. According to the witness, upon colliding, parts of the airplanes separated from each other, and the parts looked like wings.

The Safety Board investigator's on scene examination of the wreckage revealed fragmented components of the Cessna 150M along a 300-foot-long path. The principal axis of the wreckage distribution was about 70 degrees. Beginning at the western side of this wreckage path, the first 2 airframe structural components found were the left and right wings, which were separated from the fuselage. Most of the empennage was located east of the wings. The top of the Cessna 150M's vertical stabilizer and rudder assembly were found separated from and south of the main portion of the empennage. Most of the cockpit, firewall, and attached engine assembly were located at ground level inside a building, which bore an engine-sized hole in its roof, at the extreme eastern side of the wreckage distribution path. Instruments from the airplane were located on the roof and inside the building.

A fragment of Cessna 172N structure was located several yards from the Cessna 150M's wings. The main Cessna 172N wreckage was located on the ground about 800 feet north-northeast of the Cessna 150M's wings. Portions of both airplanes (landing gears, fuselage skin, instruments) were found commingled at this location. The principal axis of the Cessna 172N's wreckage distribution path was about 025 degrees.

During the on-scene wreckage examination of both airplanes, evidence of fuel was observed, and the wing flaps were found retracted. There was no evidence of fire.

All of the airplane wreckage has been recovered from the accident site, and an examination for contact evidence between the airplanes is ongoing. Preliminary observations revealed the presence of paint transfer and scratch mark signatures on skin panels, and laceration evidence in structural components.

Laceration signatures consistent with propeller blade penetration marks were observed on the lower portion of the Cessna 150M's severed right wing lift strut, right cockpit floor, and right seat.

The bottom of the Cessna 172N's white painted left wing bore a series of scratch marks and paint transfer signatures consistent with blue painted portions of the Cessna 150M's fuselage. A several inch-long span in the leading edge of one of the Cessna 172N's propeller blades was found dented. The dent was consistent with the size of the Cessna 150M's severed wing lift strut.

The orientation of the scratch marks between the airplanes and the penetration evidence is being documented to determine the respective collision and convergence angles.

About the time of the accident, 2 other pilots were flying in the vicinity of Corona. The pilots reported that runway 25 was in active use.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov