Aircraft Land Safely Following Sunday Collision

Two single-engine aircraft on approach to Republic Airport (FRG) in Farmingdale, NY collided about five miles from the runway Sunday night, but both aircraft were able to land safely, and no injuries were reported.

Airport Director Michael Geiger told Newsday a Cessna 152 and Piper PA32 Saratoga (file photos of types shown above, below) collided at about 1815 EDT Sunday. The impact took the outboard 12 inches off a wing of the Piper, and punctured a wing tank, according to news reports.

The Cessna suffered damage to its windscreen and wing, added airport spokesman Gary Lewi. A landing light from one of the aircraft was found in the front yard of a home under construction in nearby Dix Hills.

FAA spokeswoman Arlene Salac said both planes were operating under VFR rules, and were returning to FRG when the accident occurred.

Geiger did not know if either plane was in contact with the control tower at Republic.

The Piper was flown by Sidhu Karmendra, and had one additional passenger onboard. The lone pilot of the C152 was not identified.

IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 4672M        Make/Model: C152      Description: 152, A152, Aerobat
  Date: 10/21/2007     Time: 2204

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: Y    Missing: N
  Damage: Substantial

LOCATION
  City: FARMINGDALE   State: NY   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  N4672M, A CESSNA C152 AIRCRAFT, AND N43450, A PIPER PA32 AIRCRAFT, WHILE ON
  DOWNWIND COLLIDED MIDAIR AT 1100 FEET, BOTH AIRCRAFT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER
  INCIDENT, NO INJURIES REPORTED, THE CESSNA RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND
  THE PIPER RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE, FARMINDALE, NY

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Ink:   
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Ink:   
                 # Grad:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Ink:   

WEATHER: NOT REPORTED

OTHER DATA
  Activity: Unknown      Phase: Unknown      Operation: OTHER

  FAA FSDO: FARMINGDALE, NY  (EA11)               Entry date: 10/22/2007

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.republicairport.net/