The Oshkosh Arrival Procedure Needs A Serious "See and Avoid" Mindset

I'm not sure what to say about this NTSB Prelim except for the usual admonition... LOOK CAREFULLY when flying in conditions like those associated with the famed Oshkosh arrival. No matter how many times I've done it, it never fails to tax my skills when I least expect it.

So.... exercise extreme caution in heavily trafficked airspace... 

NTSB Identification: CEN10IA447A/CEN10IA447B
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Incident occurred Tuesday, July 27, 2010 in Ripon, WI
Aircraft: PIPER PA-11, registration: N78659/PIPER PA-32R-301, registration: N8159B
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.

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 July 27, 2010, approximately 1215 central daylight time, N8159B, a Piper PA-32R-301, collided with N78659, a Piper PA-11, while both airplanes were maneuvering over Ripon, Wisconsin, to fly the FISK visual flight rules (VFR) arrival to Oshkosh (KOSH), Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Both flights were being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without flight plans. The commercial pilot aboard the Piper PA-32R-301 and the commercial pilot and passenger aboard the Piper PA-11 were not injured. The Piper PA-32R-301 departed Juneau, Wisconsin, and the Piper PA-11 departed Fort Wayne, Indiana. Both airplanes were en route to KOSH.

According to a verbal statement taken from the pilot of the Piper PA-32R-301, he was monitoring FISK and heard the controllers advise the airplane to “keep their speed up.” He had joined the arrival route just west of Ripon and was at 1,800 feet and between 95 and 100 knots. He observed a Cessna one mile ahead of him and followed that Cessna. Approximately two miles east of Ripon he heard a soft “thud.” Shortly thereafter he heard another airplane transmit that another airplane had just hit them. He responded that he had hit the other airplane. The Piper PA-32R-301 continued to KOSH and landed on runway 18 right. During the landing roll, the pilot was not able to maintain directional control and departed the runway to the left. An examination of the airplane revealed damage to the left main landing gear tire.

According to a verbal statement taken from the pilot of the Piper PA-11, he was just east of FISK when an airplane struck his airplane from above. The airplane continued to fly past him to the east and he reported the collision on the FISK frequency. The pilot noted a vibration in the engine; however, he was able to reduce power and continue to KOSH. The pilot performed a straight in landing to runway 09 without further incident. An examination of the airplane revealed damage to one propeller blade.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov